[The current concept of tumor markers in oncologic urology--cytoplasmic markers]

The cells of testicular tumors and other malignant processes synthesize specific proteins which may be demonstrated intracellularly and may be quantitated in the patient serum. Of major value as markers in testicular tumors are alpha-fetoprotein and human choriongonadotropin. Radioimmune methods allow detection of minimal amounts of these substances at a moment when there are on other criteria for the presence of malignant process in the organism. This helps to establish early diagnosis and detection of relapses, precise determination of the stage and monitoring of treatment. Methods have also been developed for intracellular localization of the tumor markers, which allow precise diagnosis at cell level and retrospective studies on fixed biopsy specimens. The immunohistochemical classification which has been established and the experience being gained allowed the approach to the treatment of testicular tumors to be based in a major extent to the tumor markers.