The evaluation of neoplasm markers in the diagnosis and treatment of germ cell tumors in children

: In the Department of Paediatric Hematology and Oncology (University School of Medicine in Wroclaw) 25 patients, 1 to 19 years old, 8 boys and 17 girls, suffering from germ cell tumors were treated from June 1989 to August 1998. In the course of the treatment both surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy were used. The level of oncological markers: alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), carcinoembryonal antigen (CEA), beta-choriongonadotropin (beta-HCG) and CA 125 was examined at the beginning, during the therapy, and at the end of the treatment. Increased levels of oncological markers were found: AFP in 17 children, LDH in 10 children, CEA in 3 children, beta-HCG in 3 children and CA 125 in 2 children. In all cases the level of AFP was decreasing during the therapy. Normal levels of AFP and LDH were observed in children with complete remission. The use of AFP in diagnostics and monitoring of germ cell tumors was proved.