Human chorionic gonadotropin free beta-subunit measurement as a marker of placental site trophoblastic tumors.

Objective: To evaluate the utility of free human chorionic gonadotropin beta-subunit (hCGbeta) proportion of total hCG measurement to distinguish placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT) from more common forms of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD).

Study Design: Serum samples collected from PSTT, persistent trophoblastic disease (PTD) and choriocarcinoma patients were used for retrospective analysis of free hCGbeta-subunit. Results were reported as a percentage of total hCG using our in-house competitive radioimmunoassay.