Haemoglobin-F levels in urogenital cancers

The haemoglobin-F levels and F-cell numbers were assessed in 19 patients with different urogenital cancers. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), beta human chorionic gonadotrophin (beta HCG), total and prostatic acid phosphatase levels were also measured. HbF levels were found to be elevated in patients with testicular and prostatic cancer. No significant correlation was observed between HbF, AFP and beta HCG levels. The findings suggest that HbF production could be enhanced in patients with testicular and prostatic carcinomas and might be a useful marker to the disease activity.