Tumor marker for dysgerminoma is?
**Core Concept**
Dysgerminoma is a type of germ cell tumor primarily affecting the ovaries. It is the most common malignant ovarian tumor in young women. The tumor marker for dysgerminoma is a protein that can be detected in the blood and is used for diagnostic and monitoring purposes.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The tumor marker for dysgerminoma is beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) is not the correct answer, but we do have another marker. LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) is indeed elevated in dysgerminoma. The elevated levels of LDH in the tumor can be due to the high metabolic rate of the tumor cells. LDH is a cytoplasmic enzyme that catalyzes the interconversion of lactate and pyruvate. The elevated levels of LDH can be used as a marker for the diagnosis and monitoring of dysgerminoma.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** This option is a tumor marker for choriocarcinoma, not dysgerminoma. Choriocarcinoma is another type of germ cell tumor that produces β-hCG.
* **Option B:** This option is a tumor marker for hepatocellular carcinoma, not dysgerminoma. α-Fetoprotein (AFP) is a protein produced by the liver and is elevated in certain types of liver cancer.
* **Option C:** This option is a tumor marker for breast cancer, not dysgerminoma. CA 15-3 is a protein produced by breast cancer cells and is used as a marker for the diagnosis and monitoring of breast cancer.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
It's essential to remember that LDH levels can be elevated in various conditions, including infections, trauma, and malignancies. Therefore, it's crucial to consider the clinical context and other diagnostic findings when interpreting elevated LDH levels.
**Correct Answer: C. LDH (lactate dehydrogenase)**