HCG beta by IHC

Alphabetical Test listing

HCG beta by IHC-12376 - Technical only 12379 - Technical & interpretation

Test name:

HCG beta by IHC

Test number:

12376 - Technical only 12379 - Technical & interpretation

Excellian order number:

LAB12376
LAB12379

Alternate names:

Human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit

Tests included:

All IHC stains will include a positive control tissue

Useful for:

Gestational trophoblastic tumors (hydatiform moles and gestational choriocarcinomas) stain positively for HCG
Choriocarcinomas almost always stain positively for HCG
Syncytiotrophoblastic giant cells, when present in seminomas, embryonal carcinomas, endodermal sinus tumors and teratomas may stain positively for HCG
HCG positivity has also been reported in hepatoblastomas of childhood and carcinomas of the breast (up to 50% in some series), lung, gastrointestinal tract, ovary, uterus, and salivary glands
Bladder tumors may occasionally produce HCG (especially if they are of urachal origin)

Specimen type:

Tissue

Processing instructions:

Submit a formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue

Transport container:

Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue block

Alternate transport container:

FFPE tissue section mounted on a charged, unstained slide

Transport and stability:

Ambient (preferred)

Reason for rejection:

Unlabeled/mislabeled block
Insufficient tissue
Slides broken beyond repair

Performing lab:

AHL - Immunohistochemistry

Days set up:

Mo - Fr

TAT:

1 - 2 days

Method:

Immunohistochemical staining and microscopic examination

Reference ranges:

If requested, an interpretive report will be provided

Clinical information:

Specifications

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is a glycoprotein MWt 40,000) consisting of a protein core and a carbohydrate side chain. It is secreted in large quantities by the placenta, normally circulating at readily detectable levels only during gestation. Immunohistochemical studies reveal localization of HCG in syncytiotrophoblasts. (Occasionally, some mononuclear cytotrophoblasts show weak positivity for HCG. Although this may be the result of antigen leakage from adjacent syncytiotrophoblasts, one cannot exclude the possibility that HCG may also be elaborated by cytotrophoblasts.) A wide variety of tumors secrete HCG, however serum levels do not necessarily correlate with histologically demonstrable HCG

Staining patterns

Cytoplasmic based staining

CPT codes:

88342 - 1st stain
88341 - each additional stain

Date created:

05/15/2017

Revised date:

10/19/2018

Review date:

01/12/2024