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Synonyms |
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Human
Chorionic Gonadotrophin (HCG)
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|
Clinical
Indications |
|
HCG
levels are useful as a diagnostic aid and for monitoring treatment in some
maligancies:
Virtually all patients with gestational trophoblastic
disease (GTD) i.e. molar pregnancy, choriocarcinoma and
placental site trophoblastic tumours.
Non-seminomatous germ cell tumours (NSGCT) e.g. of
testis and ovary
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|
Request
Form |
|
Combined
Pathology Blood form (Yellow/Black or Blue for GP's)
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|
Availability |
|
On
request if specific criteria met.
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Specific
Criteria |
|
Diagnostic
aid and for monitoring
patients with GTD and (in conjunction with AFP) a
diagnostic aid and for monitoring patients with NSGCT of testis, ovary and
other sites. HCG should not be used for monitoring other
malignancies.
|
|
Turnaround
Time |
|
4
days
|
|
Specimen |
|
Serum
|
|
Volume |
|
1
ml
|
|
Container |
|
Yellow
top (SST) tube
|
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Lab.
Handling |
|
Aliquot and store at 4C.
|
|
Causes for
Rejection |
|
Unlabelled
sample
Not meeting specific criteria for analysis.
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Reference
Range |
|
<
5 U/mL
|
|
Half-life
in Serum |
|
Approx.
16 - 24 hours, decline may be biphasic with a second
half-life of 12.8 days. Tumour
marker half-life calculator.
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|
Interpretation |
|
There are very few benign
conditions associated with elevated HCG levels e.g.
pituitary adenoma. HCG levels are elevated in pregnancy.
|