Are There Limitations to Using hCG as a Tumor Marker?
While hCG is a useful tumor marker, it is not specific to all cancers. Elevated hCG levels can also be seen in conditions like pregnancy, certain non-cancerous diseases such as hydatidiform mole, and in rare cases, in other benign conditions. Therefore, elevated hCG levels should be interpreted in conjunction with other diagnostic findings. Additionally, not all cancers produce hCG, limiting its use to specific cancer types.
