From 1st October 2024, Pathlab will begin testing HCG tumour marker requests.
Pathlab uses a Beckman Coulter analyser while Waikato Hospital Laboratory uses a Roche analyser for hCG testing. Both of these hCG assays are validated as tumour marker hCG assays1.
Historically, all requests for tumour marker hCG were to be referred to Waikato hospital to ensure the same assay is used for monitoring. However, since the request form may be unclear or human error can occur, this may not be the case, and patients may not be monitored consistently with the same assay.
As 80% of samples are collected by Pathlab, introducing HCG Tumour Marker testing at Pathlab is expected to result in more consistent follow up by the same assay.
First time tumour marker requests from Waikato requestors will be processed by Pathlab and also referred to Waikato Hospital Laboratory (to establish a baseline for both assays). Subsequent samples will be processed by Pathlab only. Pathlab requests outside of the Waikato region will be processed by Pathlab only.
How comparable are total human chorionic gonadotropin (hCGt) tumour markers assays? Carel J. Pretorius*, Stephen du Toit, Urs Wilgen, Sandra Klingberg, Mark Jones, Jacobus P.J. Ungerer, & Jillian R. Tate. Clin Chem Lab Med, 2020; 58(3): 438–444.