Value of Blood AFP and HCG Levels in the Diagnosis of Intracranial Germ Cell Tumors

Abstract

Plasma α-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) concentrations were assayed in patients with intracranial teratomas or germinomas.
Plasma AFP was significantly elevated in one patient with a yolk sac tumor, and in four with embryonal carcinomas, while in 14 patients with germinomas, the plasma AFP level was in the normal range. Plasma HCG concentrations were significantly elevated in two patients with embryonal carcinomas and in seven with germinomas. In one patient with a yolk sac tumor, the HCG concentration in CSF was elevated.
Pertinent literature was reviewed and it was concluded that AFP is specific to yolk sac tumors and embryonal carcinomas, while HCG is common in all germinal tumors. Blood or CSF AFP and HCG are quite useful for detecting germinal tumors. They are also useful in evaluating the efficacy of the treatment.