A patient who is complaining of heaviness in his scrotum has learned that his serum lactic acid dehydrogenase level is normal. This information should indicate to the nurse that the patient:
1. needs more diagnostic tests for testicular cancer.
2. has testicular cancer.
3. does not have testicular cancer.
4. has a spermatocele.
Correct Answer: 1
Elevations in serum lactic acid dehydrogenase levels are associated with the presence of testicular cancer, and may be significantly elevated when metastatic disease is present. This laboratory test is a less specific indicator of testicular cancer than the human chorionic gonadotropin and alpha-fetoprotein. The levels alone are not sufficient to make a diagnosis of cancer and should promote further testing. Levels of serum lactic dehydrogenase would not be useful in diagnosis of spermatocele.
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