RISING SERUM VALUES OF BETA-SUBUNIT HUMAN CHORIONIC-GONADOTROPIN (HCG) IN PATIENTS WITH PROGRESSIVE VULVAR CARCINOMAS

Elevated serum levels of the beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotro phin (hCG) were measured in 50% of patients with locoregional recurren ces or progressive Vulvar carcinoma (n = 14). At diagnosis of vulvar c ancer, however, the incidence of elevated serum levels was low (5%) in 104 patients. The rising serum levels during progression of disease i ndicate that the synthesis of the beta-subunit hCG can be increased in vulvar carcinoma.