Editing Germ Cell Tumours (section)

===== <span style="color:#ff0000">Pre-orchiectomy tumour markers</span> =====
* '''<span style="color:#ff0000">Uses (2):</span>'''
*# '''<span style="color:#ff0000">Support initial diagnosis</span>'''
*#* '''<span style="color:#ff0000">Should not be used to guide decision making about whether or not to perform a radical orchiectomy''' because AFP or hCG levels in the normal range do not rule out GCT.
*# '''<span style="color:#ff0000">Interpret tumor marker levels after orchiectomy.</span>'''
*#* '''Essential to know whether persistently elevated post-orchiectomy tumour markers are declining compared to pre-orchiectomy levels by their respective half-lives or not, or whether they are rising, as this impacts subsequent treatment decisions.'''
* '''Should not be used for clinical staging and risk stratification'''
** Can lead to over- or under-treatment with resulting excess rates of toxicity or relapse, respectively.