SERUM BETA HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPHIN IN HUMAN UROTHELIAL CARCINOMA

Abstract

Objectives

To determine whether raised levels of serum Beta -HCG) are associated with higher grade andHuman Chorionic Gonadotrophin ( -HCG inhigher category tumors and whether in patients with raised levels of -HCGtheir sera the rise (above normal range) and the fall (to normal) in levels would correspond with the presence or absence of tumors.

Patients and Methods

-HCG was performedRadioimmunoassay for using the sera (blood samples) obtained from 120 patients (mean age 70 years, range 20 — 95 years) with urothelial carcinoma at the time of diagnosis of the -HCG wastumors and at follow-up. For control purposes a radioimmunoassay for performed in 2 groups of patients: Group A: 30 patients with benign conditions who came for operations like hernia repair, and Group B: 70 patients who previously had had resection of urothelial tumors but who repeatedly had no evidence of recurrent tumors at review cystoscopy.

Results

Thirty-six of the 120 patients (30%) with urothelial carcinomas had raised serum levels (³ -HCG.4 IU/L) of All 30 patients with benign conditions had normal levels ( £ -HCG and 60 of the 70 patients who repeatedly did not4 IU/L) of serum -HCG. Ithave any evidence of recurrence at review had normal levels of serum -HCG were more commonly associatedwas observed that raised serum levels of with tumors of high grade and high stage. It was also observed that in patients -HCG the fall to normalwith urothelial carcinoma and raised levels of serum levels ( £ 4 IU/L) corresponded with non recurrence of -HCG or a further rise inthe tumor and the persistence of raised levels of -HCG corresponded with persistence or recurrence of the tumor.serum levels of HCG corresponded with persistence or recurrence of the tumor

Conclusion


African Journal of Urology Vol. 7 No. 1 (Jan 2001): pp 34-42

Key Words: urothelial carcinoma, beta human chorionic gonadotrophin, radioimmunoassay