Is seminoma testicular cancer associated with HCG?
May 08, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein secreted by placental chorionic trophoblast cells and plays an important role during pregnancy. However, certain types of testicular germ cell tumors, specifically seminomas, may produce human chorionic gonadotropin. Testicular seminomas contain components of syncytiotrophoblastic giant cells, and hCG is primarily produced by these syncytiotrophoblastic giant cells.
Generally, HCG refers to human chorionic gonadotropin. Seminomatous testicular cancer is associated with human chorionic gonadotropin. Detailed analysis is as follows:
Human chorionic gonadotropin is a glycoprotein secreted by placental chorionic trophoblast cells and plays an important role during pregnancy. However, certain types of testicular germ cell tumors, specifically seminomas, may produce human chorionic gonadotropin. Testicular seminomas may contain syncytiotrophoblastic giant cell components, which are primarily responsible for the production of human chorionic gonadotropin. Therefore, elevated levels of human chorionic gonadotropin may serve as a marker for seminoma.
If men exhibit elevated levels of human chorionic gonadotropin in the absence of pregnancy, particularly significantly elevated levels, testicular cancer should be highly suspected. In such cases, further examinations are recommended, including testicular palpation, testicular color ultrasound, CT scan with contrast, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), etc., to determine the presence of testicular cancer as early as possible.
The screening and diagnosis of testicular cancer should consider multiple factors comprehensively to ensure accuracy and reliability. If testicular cancer is suspected, timely medical consultation and examination by a specialist are necessary, along with appropriate treatment.
