Beta hCG Quant Tumor Marker




Test Mnemonic

BHCG

CPT Codes

  • 84702 - QTY (1)

Performing Laboratory

ARUP


Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
1 mLSerumSST (Gold) RefrigeratedAllow specimen to clot completely at room temperature. Separate serum from cells ASAP or within 2 hours of collection. Transfer serum to standard aliquot tube.

Alternate Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
1 mLPlasmaEDTA (Lavender) RefrigeratedSeparate plasma from cells within 2 hours of collection and transfer to standard aliquot tube.
1 mLPlasmaLithium heparin (Green) RefrigeratedSeparate plasma from cells within 2 hours of collection and transfer to standard aliquot tube.

Minimum Specimen Requirements

Volume Type Container Collect Temperature Transport Temperature Special Instructions
0.4 mL     

Stability

Environmental Condition Description
RefrigeratedAfter separation from cells: 2 weeks
AmbientAfter separation from cells: 5 days
FrozenAfter separation from cells: 1 year

Days Performed

Sun - Sat

Turnaround Time

2 - 3 days

Methodology

Name Description
Electro Chemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA) 

Reference Range

Beta hCG Quant Tumor Marker
Sex Age From Age To Type Range Range Unit
Male      Normal0 - 3IU/L
Female      Normal0 - 5IU/L

Special Info

Allow specimen to clot completely at room temperature. Specimens left to clot at 2-8°C or specimens subjected to repeated freeze/thaw cycles are not acceptable. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is unacceptable. This test is New York DOH approved. Add-ons will only be accepted from the emergency department providing an unopened/unprocessed tube is available for testing.

Clinical Info

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a valuable aid in the management of patients with trophoblastic tumors, nonseminomatous testicular tumors, and seminomas when used in conjunction with information available from the clinical evaluation and other diagnostic procedures. Increased serum hCG concentrations have also been observed in melanoma, carcinomas of the breast, gastrointestinal tract, lung, and ovaries, and in benign conditions, including cirrhosis, duodenal ulcer, and inflammatory bowel disease. This result cannot be interpreted as absolute evidence of the presence or absence of malignant disease. This result is not interpretable as a tumor marker in pregnant females. The combination of the specific monoclonal antibodies used in the Roche Beta HCG electrochemiluminescent immunoassay recognize the holo-hormone, "nicked" forms of hCG, the beta-core fragment, and the free beta-subunit. Results obtained with different test methods or kits cannot be used interchangeably. Although this assay is FDA cleared for use in the detection of pregnancy, it is not labeled for use as a tumor marker.