CSF and serum hCG in patients without gestational and neoplastic hCG-secretion

Abstract

The reference value determined in this study of CSF hCG in men is significantly lower than that usually used in clinical practice. A CSF hCG concentration higher than the simultaneous serum hCG concentration but lower than the upper reference limit does not necessarily suggest abnormal intrathecal hCG-secretion.

Primary intracranial germ-cell tumors in adults: a practical review

“…Normal values for CSF HCG are lower in men than in women but always below 5 IU/l [15]. In a majority of subjects without GCTs CSF levels of HCG are higher than simultaneously obtained serum levels; therefore a higher CSF than serum HCG, provided it is still within normal limits, is not a sign of a CNS GCT [15].…”

“…However, in 40-60 % of patients with germinoma mild elevation of HCG, more frequently in CSF than in serum (though generally less than 50 IU/l) is found [14]. Normal values for CSF HCG are lower in men than in women but always below 5 IU/l [15]. In a majority of subjects without GCTs CSF levels of HCG are higher than simultaneously obtained serum levels; therefore a higher CSF than serum HCG, provided it is still within normal limits, is not a sign of a CNS GCT [15].…”

“…For NGGCTs, radiation therapy alone is rarely curative; 5 year survival is reported between 35 and 60 % [5,40]. Combining radiotherapy with platinum-based chemotherapy, however, results in improved survival [15,16]. A dose higher than 50 Gy should be given to the local tumor bed [39,41,42].…”

Method Validation of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and α-Fetoprotein in Cerebrospinal Fluid: Aiding the Diagnosis of Intracranial Germ Cell Tumors

“…In a study of more than 300 patients, Tian et al (18) established a reference interval (97.5th percentile) for hCG in CSF of 0.77 and 1.42 IU/L in male and female patients, respectively. An additional study of 351 patients established the reference interval for AFP in CSF as 1.042 μg/L (97.5th percentile) (19).…”