LDH is not a useful marker for relapse in stage I germ cell tumours
Author Information
Author(s): Clare Ackers, Rustin G J S
Primary Institution: Mount Vernon Hospital
Hypothesis
Does routine measurement of LDH add anything to our relapse/pick up rate in patients on surveillance for stage I germ cell tumours?
Conclusion
Routine measurement of LDH in patients on surveillance for stage I germ cell tumours does not add to the early detection of relapse.
Supporting Evidence
- 125 out of 494 patients had raised LDH at the time of relapse.
- 112 of these had a concurrent rise in either AFP, HCG or both.
- 11 had their disease detected on CT before the rise in LDH.
- One had a clinically palpable para-aortic mass.
- Another patient complained of back pain, leading to the discovery of retroperitoneal disease.
Takeaway
Doctors checked a blood marker called LDH to see if it helps find cancer relapses in patients, but it didn't help at all.
Methodology
The notes, blood results, and imaging of 494 patients with stage I germ cell tumours who relapsed while on surveillance were reviewed.
Limitations
The study is limited to a retrospective analysis and may not account for all variables affecting relapse detection.
Participant Demographics
The majority of patients had nonseminomatous germ cell tumours (399 patients, 81%) and the remainder were seminomas (95 patients, 19%).
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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