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Is normal beta-hCG regression curve helpful in the diagnosis of persistent trophoblastic disease?
N Behtash1, F Ghaemmaghami, H Honar
1Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Vali-e-Asr Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. nadbehtash2@yahoo.com
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.
Conclusion:
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.
