RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Early identification of persistent trophoblastic disease with serum hCG concentration ratios JF International Journal of Gynecologic Cancer JO Int J Gynecol Cancer FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP 318 OP 323 DO 10.1111/j.1525-1438.2007.00993.x VO 18 IS 2 A1 N. E. Van Trommel A1 H. Ngo Duc A1 L. F.A.G. Massuger A1 C. P.T. Schijf A1 C. G.J. Sweep A1 C. M.G. Thomas YR 2008 UL http://ijgc.bmj.com/content/18/2/318.abstract AB The objective of the present study was to assess the diagnostic potential of serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) ratios obtained at different intervals after evacuation of hydatidiform mole to diagnose persistent trophoblastic disease (PTD) and to compare its diagnostic accuracy with the current FIGO 2000 criteria as a gold standard. We calculated hCG ratios from serum hCG concentrations of 204 patients (86 with and 118 without PTD) registered with the Dutch Central Registry for Hydatidiform Moles between 1977–2004. The hCG ratios obtained in week 1, 3, and 5 after evacuation identified, respectively, 20%, 52%, and 79% of patients with PTD (median: 3.0 weeks) at the 95% specificity level, while FIGO 2000 criteria identified, respectively, 0%, 16%, and 66% (median: 4.7 weeks). It is concluded that a serum hCG ratio identifies patients with PTD approximately 2 weeks earlier than the internationally accepted FIGO 2000 criteria and identifies more than 75% of patients who develop PTD by the fifth week after evacuation.