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False elevations of human chorionic gonadotropin associated to latrogenic hypogonadism in gonadal germ cell tumors
Author(s) -
Germa Josep R.,
Arcusa Angeles,
Casamitjana Roser
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19871115)60:10<2489::aid-cncr2820601024>3.0.co;2-b
Subject(s) - luteinizing hormone , human chorionic gonadotropin , medicine , endocrinology , gonadotropin , follicle stimulating hormone , hormone , radioimmunoassay , germ cell , biology , biochemistry , gene
Radioimmunoassay (RIA) for fraction β of the chorionic gonadotropin hormone (HCG‐β subunit) has a clinical value in the management of patients with gonadal germ cell tumors (GCT). Treatment of disease causes temporary or permanent iatrogenic hypogonadism and secondary plasmatic elevations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH). Small but significant cross‐reactions with LH have been observed, resulting in spurious elevations of HCG, as result, also in part, of the lack of specificity of the RIA. Twelve patients with complete response showed high HCG follow‐up levels between 1.7 and 7.8 mIU/ml; simultaneous determination of LH and FSH resulted, also, in high levels: 79.9 to 24.9 mIU/ml and 80 to 19.2 mIU/ml, respectively, in females, and 78 to 18 mIU/ml and 65.1 to 5 mIU/ml, respectively, in males. Administration of exogenous hormones resulted in all cases in reduction of LH and FSH values and normalization of HCG. Therefore, relationship between spurious elevations of HCG and the iatrogenic hypogonadism is clarified through this simple technique that is of most importance as regards the adoption of the appropriate therapy.