CSF/serum beta-hCG ratio in patients with brain metastases of gestational trophoblastic tumor
Y Bakri1, N al-Hawashim, R Berkowitz
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Objective:
To assess the accuracy of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)/serum ratio of beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) in detecting brain metastasis of gestational trophoblastic tumor (GTT).
Study Design:
The subjects were ten patients with GTT and brain metastases. Spinal puncture and veni-puncture were performed for measurement of beta-hCG titer in CSF and serum to determine the CSF/serum ratio before starting multiagent chemotherapy and/or brain irradiation.
Results:
Five patients manifested a CSF/serum beta-hCG ratio > 1/60, and five manifested a ratio < 1/60.
Conclusion:
The CSF/serum beta-hCG ratio is not accurate enough to be routinely considered in the workup, management, and/or surveillance of GTT with brain metastases. Hence, it is perhaps not necessary to perform spinal puncture if the only purpose is to determine the CSF/serum ratio.
More Related Videos
11:15Stereotactic Adoptive Transfer of Cytotoxic Immune Cells in Murine Models of Orthotopic Human Glioblastoma Multiforme Xenografts
Published on: September 1, 2018
06:36A Modified In vitro Invasion Assay to Determine the Potential Role of Hormones, Cytokines and/or Growth Factors in Mediating Cancer Cell Invasion
Published on: April 24, 2015