AFP and neoplasm: Traditional serum tumor markers (STMs), which include alpha fetoprotein (AFP), beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), are limited by low sensitivity (approximately 50%) during initial diagnosis; false-positive elevations as a result of other benign and malignant conditions; and negative levels in low-stage disease and in certain histologies such as teratoma and seminoma.