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Chapter 9 - Nonpregnant and False-Positive Causes of β-hCG Elevation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 October 2024

By
Timothy N. Dunn  and
Denise R. Nebgen
Edited by
Laurie J. Mckenzie  and
Denise R. Nebgen
Laurie J. Mckenzie
Affiliation:
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
Denise R. Nebgen
Affiliation:
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston
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Summary

Positive serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) testing in reproductive-age women generally indicates a pregnancy and to a lesser extent gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) or a germ cell tumor (GCT). Other non-pregnant or false-positive causes of serum β-hCG testing include pituitary hormone production in perimenopausal or postmenopausal women, heterophilic antibody interference, chronic renal disease, familial β-hCG, and exogenous hCG administration for assisted reproductive technology. Non-gynecologic cancer can be associated with positive β-hCG results. We review the general physiology of the β-hCG molecule and typical approaches to β-hCG testing. We present an algorithm to help guide clinicians in evaluating the non-pregnant or false-positive causes of positive β-hCG test results.

Keywords

β-hCGheterophilic antibody interferencepituitary production of β-hCGfamilial β-hCGinjectable hCGnon-gynecologic cancergestational trophoblastic diseasegerm cell tumornon-pregnant causes of β-hCGfalse-positive causes of β-hCG
Type
Chapter
Information
Caring for the Female Cancer Patient
Gynecologic Considerations
 , pp. 132 - 146
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2024

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