Serum tumor markers in testicular cancer

Testicular cancer has become a model for a curable neoplasm, where biochemical markers play a critical role. Serum tumor markers are integral in patient management and contributes to the diagnosis, staging, and risk assessment, as well as evaluation of response to therapy and detection of relapse. We review their biochemistry, biology, and clinical use in the setting of localized and metastatic disease. The integration of tumor markers in prognostic models as well as the significance of marker kinetics during chemotherapy is discussed.