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Beta HCG Tumor Marker
Test CodeBHCGP
Alias/See Also
BHCGP, Beta HCG, HCG Total, HCG Quantitative, HCG Tumor Marker
CPT Codes
84702
Preferred Specimen
GRN PST
Setup Schedule
24x7
Clinical Significance
Total Beta hCG (BHCG) is useful in diagnosis and management of patients with suspected or known gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, as well as ovarian, testicular, and other-site germ cell tumors. Increased HCG concentrations cannot be interpreted as absolute evidence of the presence or absence of malignant disease. BHCG must not be used as a tumor marker in pregnant females and an elevated BHCG level in a fertile female requires consideration of pregnancy in addition to neoplasia.
The combination of specific monoclonal antibodies used in the Beckman Coulter Access Total BHCG assay detects intact and nicked intact HCG as well as free BHCG and nicked BHCG fragments. The hyperglycoslyated form of HCG (HCG-H) is produced by normal cytotrophoblasts and by some tumors. It can be used in evaluate patients with suspected latent gestational trophoblastic disease. The sensitivity of the Access BHCG assay to HCG-H has not been evaluated, but it is almost certainly detected at some level, given the assay's high utility for pregnancy diagnosis. Reference lab testing for HCG-H is available.
Other Notes:
1)This assay is FDA cleared for use in the detection of pregnancy. It is not labeled for use as a tumor marker, but the chemical composition of intact HCG and the various HCG fragments are the same in these conditions as in pregnancy.
2)Best practice in patients being serially monitored is to use the same laboratory's BHCG assay to insure comparability of results.
3)This assay uses anti-animal antibodies and is subject to interference from patients' own anti-animal antibodies or other cross reacting antibodies. The test system has blocking agents to minimize this, but if a result does not correlate with the patient's clinical status, notify the laboratory. Steps can be taken to evaluate for possible assay interference.
4)A number of solid tumors other than germ cell tumors and trophoblastic neoplasia can result in elevation of serum BHCG (generally, low level elevation).
The combination of specific monoclonal antibodies used in the Beckman Coulter Access Total BHCG assay detects intact and nicked intact HCG as well as free BHCG and nicked BHCG fragments. The hyperglycoslyated form of HCG (HCG-H) is produced by normal cytotrophoblasts and by some tumors. It can be used in evaluate patients with suspected latent gestational trophoblastic disease. The sensitivity of the Access BHCG assay to HCG-H has not been evaluated, but it is almost certainly detected at some level, given the assay's high utility for pregnancy diagnosis. Reference lab testing for HCG-H is available.
Other Notes:
1)This assay is FDA cleared for use in the detection of pregnancy. It is not labeled for use as a tumor marker, but the chemical composition of intact HCG and the various HCG fragments are the same in these conditions as in pregnancy.
2)Best practice in patients being serially monitored is to use the same laboratory's BHCG assay to insure comparability of results.
3)This assay uses anti-animal antibodies and is subject to interference from patients' own anti-animal antibodies or other cross reacting antibodies. The test system has blocking agents to minimize this, but if a result does not correlate with the patient's clinical status, notify the laboratory. Steps can be taken to evaluate for possible assay interference.
4)A number of solid tumors other than germ cell tumors and trophoblastic neoplasia can result in elevation of serum BHCG (generally, low level elevation).
Performing Laboratory
CRMC Laboratory
