Characterisation of transient benign hCG elevations in women following chemotherapy for GTT

Abstract

The occurrence of post-chemotherapy transient low level hCG elevations has been observed in a number of women treated for gestational trophoblastic tumours (GTT). The authors reviewed the records of patients treated at Charing Cross Hospital over the last 10 years and identified those with a benign rise in hCG. Stored serum samples were assayed for hCG, LH, FSH and oestradiol at varying points during patient management. The endocrine profile in patients experiencing benign hCG elevation is comparable with that seen in post-menopausal women, with low oestradiol, combined with greatly elevated LH and FSH levels. In contrast, women with genuine disease relapse as the cause of their post-chemotherapy hCG elevation had normal or only minor elevations of LH and FSH. These findings support the observation that a major rise in LH and FSH can be used as an indicator for benign pituitary hCG production in patients experiencing a low level rise in hCG levels following chemotherapy for GTT.