Is normal beta-hCG regression curve helpful in the diagnosis of persistent trophoblastic disease?
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the probable usefulness of normal beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) regression curve in the diagnosis of persistent trophoblastic disease (PTD).


METHODS
A log-value regression curve was developed from the means and 95% confidence limits of serial weekly serum beta-hCG titers of 43 patients with uneventful complete hydatidiform moles and 14 patients, who were previously confirmed as PTD.


RESULTS
All 14 PTD patients (100%) had abnormal values, beyond normal range, within 4 weeks. beta-hCG was in its upper values, compared to normal regression curve at 2.29 +/- 0.19 weeks. This was earlier than plateau or rise detection at 4.21 +/- 0.33 weeks (P < 0.001). Within 3 weeks of evacuation, 13 of 14 (92.86%) PTD patients' beta-hCG values exceeded the normal range, whereas only six of 14 (42%) showed a rise or plateau.


CONCLUSIONS
Our finding indicates that the normal beta-hCG regression curve may be useful for quicker detection of PTD than the plateau or rise of level.
Behtash
N
N
Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Vali-e-Asr Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. nadbehtash2@yahoo.com
Ghaemmaghami
F
F
Honar
H
H
Riazi
K
K
Nori
A
A
Modares
M
M
Mousavi
A
A
D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000097:blood*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D031901:Gestational Trophoblastic Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006828:Hydatidiform Mole / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D007492:Iran; D011247:Pregnancy; D012016:Reference Values; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human