Testosterone, LH and FSH in patients with treated testicular carcinomas

Patients with testicular cancer were treated by semicastratio and in some cases by retroperitoneal surgery. The diminution of testicular parenchyma to about 50% results to a low serum level of testosterone, but elevated serum level of LH and FSH. 3 years after surgery and irradiation this is not a pathological finding but appears to be a typical pattern. As it is difficult to differentiate embryonal carcinomas and choriocarcinomas from pure embryonal carcinomas an estimation of serum level of LH and FSH may be of use by the diagnosis.