A CLINICAL STUDY OF TESTICULAR TUMOR

Usefulness of Serum Lactec Dehydrogenase (LDH)

Abstract

In order to clarify the clinical usefulness of serum LDH in the patient with testicular tumor, a retrospective study was made on 112 cases of testicular tumors (68 seminomas and 44 non-seminomas) collected from the Department of Urology, Yokohama City University and its seven related hospitals during a period from 1968 to 1983.
Positive ratio of serum LDH, correlation of serum LDH level with tumor weight, fluctuation of serum LDH level during clinical course and pattern of serum LDH isozyme distribution were studied.
1. Positive ratio of serum LDH prior to orchiectomy was 72% for seminoma and 59% for non-seminomas.
No statistical difference was noted between the two groups despite of high incidence of abnormal LDH level. In advanced cases (stage II and III), serum LDH level remained abnormal in 64.3% three weeks after orchiectomy.
2. Fluctuation of serum LDH level was well related with rise and fall of clinical course.
3. A good correlation was observed between weight of resected tumors and serum LDH values prior to orchiectomy (coefficient of correlation γ=0.68).
4. Increase of serum LDH isozyme 1 was distinctively observed in 65% (13/20) of seminomas and 63% (7/11) of non-seminomas.
5. Ratio of LDH isozyme fractions was in the order: LDH₁>LDH₂>LDH₃>LDH₄≈LDH₅.
The above results suggest that serum LDH and its isozyme 1 can be clinically utilized as reliable testicular tumor markers.