Multiple Tissue Markers in Human Malignant Testicular Tumours

Using an indirect immunoperoxidase technique, the localization of human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), human placental lactogen (HPL), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and alphafoetoprotein (AFP) has been achieved in paraffin embedded sections of human malignant testicular tumours. HCG was localized in the syncytiotrophoblast of trophoblastic teratomas, in morphologically distinctive cells of many teratomas classified as ‘non‐trophoblastic’ and in some seminomas. The presence of such cells showed good correlation with the development of elevated serum/urine HCG levels on or before overt tumour recurrence. HPL had a similar but more restricted distribution. CEA was demonstrated in areas showing intestinal‐like differentiation. AFP could be readily demonstrated in tumours with yolk sac differentiation, although widespread diffusion made accurate localization difficult. The routine localization of these tumour products may be of potential value in improving the diagnosis and classification of malignant testicular disease. Preliminary results also indicate that such an approach may have a role in predicting suitable serum markers with which to monitor disease activity and in providing further prognostic criteria.