Human chorionic gonadotrophin as an indicator of persistent gestational trophoblastic neoplasia

Background: Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) disease is excessive and inappropriate proliferation of trophoblast after termination of the pregnancy. Many attempts have been made to improve follow-up procedures, but no studies have evaluated Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (HCG) as a post treatment indicator. Thus we aimed to know β-HCG variability in post treatment pregnancies. Methods: 40 Molar affected pregnancies were followed post-surgical treatment by serum β-HCG level in a tertiary level hospital. All subjects were treated by evacuation and followed by β-HCG every week for three weeks, then every month for six months. Results: 30 women were normal (group I) and 10 (group II) diagnosed as GTN cases. Serum β-HCG which obtained serially shown significant differences between two groups (p=0.001). The quantity of β-HCG/week had significantly higher level than normal females (p<0.001) Conclusion: Our results suggested that β-HCG serum level could be used as a strong indicator for identifying affected patients at early stage.