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What does it mean when your HCG markers are raised ? What is this ?

 
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katie
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Joined: 03 Feb 2008
Posts: 1
PostPosted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 3:52 pm    Post subject: What does it mean when your HCG markers are raised ? Reply with quote
Husband diagnosed with testicular cancer 18mnths ago, the tumour was removed & he was given 1 dose of chemo as a precaution.
At a routine appt they have said his markers are raised - his HCG is up & they are testing his BHCG & LPF (I think). - what are these ?
They are taking blood tests once a week for 3 weeks & then have started to talk about commencing a course of 3 weeks of chemo at the hosp with medication at home.
I didn't go with him to the appt, we assumed he would be OK so we are left in the dark until the next appt in the middle of Feb.
What does this mean, is the cancer back (classic seminoma) but in the other testical or has it spread, or is it a differant cancer alltogeather.
What is the medication given at home & how is it administered, any help would be appreciated.
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brainman
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Joined: 13 Oct 2005
Posts: 3781
Location: Tennessee
PostPosted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 6:29 am    Post subject: Re: What does it mean when your HCG markers are raised ? Reply with quote
Hi Katie. I am very sorry about your husband's cancer.

HCG and BHCG are tumor markers. I have never heard of LPF but I assume it too is a tumor marker. HCG and BHCG are hormones. In healthy women, human chorionic gonadotrophin and beta human chorionic gonadotrophin help with pregnancy so they are quite normal. In fact, a test for HCG is how doctors can tell that a woman is pregnant.

However, both can also indicate that cancer is present. Without further tests, it is impossible to tell you where it is located. If confirmed by other tests and scans, it does sound like chemotherapy is the way to go.

You and your husband are in my thoughts and prayers.
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1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendoglioma grade 3, same location.
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
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