title: [Significance of serum beta-hCG as a tumor marker for stomach carcinoma].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent investigations indicate that in 50% of patients with gastric cancer, beta-hCG-positive cells can be found in the tumour by immunohistochemical investigations. The objective of this study was to investigate how often beta-hCG-immunoreactive gastric carcinomas were accompanied by an elevation in serum beta-hCG, that could have been used as a course control variable.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 54 patients with gastric carcinoma a monoclonal antibody directed against beta-hCG was used for immunohistochemical marking in the APAAP system. The evaluation was graded positive or negative. In parallel, serum beta-hCG was determined preoperatively using an enzyme immunoassay (MEIA). Tumour stage, grading and tumour localization were determinants in the evaluation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that 41% (22 of 54) of the carcinomas induced a positive immunohistochemical response to beta-hCG, regardless of their location in the stomach. In relation to tumour stage, a positive beta-hCG immunoreactivity was apparent in 27% (6/22) of tumours without lymph node or distant metastases (T1-4N0M0), in 54% (7/13) of tumours with lymph node and without distant metastases (T1-4N > or = 1M0) and in 47% (9/35) of tumours with distant metastases. Poorly differentiated tumours (G3-4) were positive in 42% (15/36) and well-differentiated tumors (G1-2) in 39% (7/18) of cases. In only 1 patient was the beta-hCG level in serum elevated, however.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  beta-hCG-Positive gastric carcinomas are found more frequently in advanced tumour stages and poorly differentiated carcinomas. These carcinomas, however, seem not to excrete beta-hCG in sufficient amounts to produce measurable serum values. Therefore, beta-hCG cannot be used a prognostic factor or for course control. The relevance of beta-hCG expression of tumour cells to the patients' prognosis remains obscure.
authors.affiliation: Virchow-Klinikum, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Robert-Rössle-Klinik für Onkologie, Max-Delbrück-Centrum für molekulare Medizin.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rau
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Below
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Haensch
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liebrich
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: von Schilling
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Schlag
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D013270:Stomach / Q000473:pathology; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human
vernacular_title: Zur Bedeutung von beta-hCG im Serum als Tumormarker für das Magenkarzinom.