Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia laboratory findings
Overview
Increased quantitative beta HCG levels.
Laboratory Findings
Blood tests that may be done include:
Quantitative serum HCG
- Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG or b-HCG) is the most common tumour marker test used to diagnose GTD.
- HCG is a very sensitive test for diagnosing most gestational trophoblastic tumours. HCG is usually measured in the blood, but it can also be measured in the urine.
- HCG levels are much higher in women with complete hydatidiform moles and gestational choriocarcinoma compared to HCG levels in women with a normal pregnancy.
- With partial moles, the HCG level is higher than normal, but it is not as high as with other types of GTD.
- With placental site tumours, the HCG level may be slightly higher than normal, but it is not considered a good marker for this type of tumour.
- An HCG test can help find GTD after pregnancy or miscarriage as this hormone should not be present in the blood or urine soon afterward.
Human placental lactogen (hPL)
- Human placental lactogen (hPL) is a tumour marker that may be used to follow women with placental site trophoblastic tumours. High hPL levels are found in women with some types of GTD.
Complete blood count
- Complete blood count can check for anemia from long-term (chronic) vaginal bleeding.