False‐positive and false‐negative alpha‐feto protein and human chorionic gonadotropin assays in testicular cancer: A double blind study

Abstract

The rates of false‐positive and false‐negative serum alpha‐feto protein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) determinations in 50 patients with testicular cancer utilizing assays from a reference laboratory were studied. Seven (14%) of fifty patients had false‐positive and one (2%) of 50 had false‐negative serum HCG determinations. Although six (12%) of 50 of serum AFP determinations showed false‐positive results; no false‐negative rates were encountered for serum AFP. Utilizing simultaneous measurements of serum HCG and luteinizing hormone (LH) measuring urinary HCG by a highly specific carboxyl‐terminal assay, one may rule out false‐positive occurrences of serum HCG in patients with testicular cancer. This double‐blind study also confirmed the need for correlating the clinical status of the patients with elevated serum AFP or HCG in patients with testicular cancer before embarking on any therapy. Copyright © 1981 American Cancer Society