About 90% of persons with non-dysgerminomatous germ cell tumours produce either alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) or human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG). In contrast, persons with pure dysgerminoma usually produce neither.
These tumour markers are present for some time after surgery. If the presurgical levels are high, 30 days or more may be required before meaningful postsurgical levels can be obtained. The half-lives of AFP and beta-hCG are six days and one day respectively. After treatment, unequal reduction of beta-hCG and AFP may occur, suggesting that the two markers are synthesized by heterogeneous clones of cells within the tumour; thus, both markers should be followed.
Beta-hCG is similar to luteinizing hormone except for its distinctive beta subunit.
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