DIAGNOSTIC SIGNIFICANCE OF HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN AS A TUMOR MARKER

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the reliability of the method for determining the beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin and to investigate the value and significance of βhCG in the blood of patients with testicular cancer.

Methods: The study included 10 male patients with confirmed diagnosis of testicular cancer and 10 patients without a diagnosis of testicular cancer who served as the control group. The measured concentration values were collected from the archive, and the research method used was a retrospective descriptive analysis. Concentrations were measured from serum using the immunochemical analyzer.

Results: We conducted device verification using commercial serums to confirm the reliability of the utilized analysis method. We demonstrated method accuracy, precision, and overall error, which met national quality control and manufacturer criteria. Patients with testicular cancer diagnosis initially had elevated βhCG values. One month after the surgical procedure, a follow-up measurement was performed, and the values returned within the reference range. Patients without testicular cancer diagnosis had βhCG values below 0.1 IU/L, which is below the method's sensitivity limit.

Conclusion: Verification of the method for determining βhCG showed satisfactory results for its application in diagnostics. Based on the conducted research and obtained results, βhCG has been confirmed as a reliable tumor marker in the diagnosis and monitoring of testicular cancer. These findings suggest that this test is suitable for implementing screening in all patients presenting with testicular pain, as well as in the healthy population. Early diagnosis of testicular cancer significantly contributes to even more favorable treatment outcomes for this disease.