Clinical Use Of Hcg and hCGβ Determinations

Abstract

Recent advances in our understanding of hCG/hCG (3 synthesis by trophoblastic and nontrophoblastic tissues together with improved techniques for measuring hCG have helped to define the role of hCG as a clinical marker. HCG determination by sensitive immunometric assays enables detection of hCG immunoreactivity in normal men and women. It facilitates early detection of normal pregnancy and significantly contributes to the diagnosis of various pregnancy-related disorders, such as ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, hydatidiform mole, choriocarci noma or Trisomy 21. Further, determination of this marker is immensely helpful to guide curative intervention in testicular cancer. For diagnosis and follow-up of patients with testicular cancer, a method measuring both hCG and hCG|3 or separate methods for each component are recommended, because a significant portion of seminoma exclusively secrete free hCGp Also, hCG(3 production by other than trophoblastic malignancies has been well recognized. A possible clinical use of hCG(J as a marker of cancers of the bladder, pancreas or biliary tract is currently debated. Scand J Clin Lab Invest 1993;53 (Suppl 216); 97-104

Key Words:

• hCG
• pregnancy
• trophoblastic disease
• testicular cancer
• nontrophoblastic tumors.