Category: Journal

Journal of Histopathology and Cytopathology
Vol 10, Issue 1, 2026

Comparative Analysis of Serum β-hCG Levels in Complete and Partial Hydatidiform Moles
 Rahman MM,¹ Kabir AN,² Islam T,³ Shiraj-Um-Mahmuda S,⁴ Karim R,⁵ *Shabnam US⁶

Abstract
Introduction: Hydatidiform mole (HM) is a gestational trophoblastic disorder caused by abnormal fertilization, resulting in a non-viable pregnancy with trophoblastic hyperplasia. Differentiation between complete hydatidiform mole (CHM) and partial hydatidiform mole (PHM) is clinically important because CHM carries a higher risk of persistent trophoblastic disease. Serum β-hCG is often markedly elevated in molar pregnancy and may assist in distinguishing CHM from PHM. This study aimed to evaluate pretreatment β-hCG levels among different types of hydatidiform mole and assess their diagnostic association.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 57 histopathologically diagnosed cases of HM collected from the BMU and private laboratories in Dhaka. Pretreatment serum β-hCG levels were obtained for all patients. Based on histopathological criteria, cases were grouped into CHM, PHM, and indeterminate categories. Statistical analysis using Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests was performed to compare β-hCG levels between groups.
Results: Of the 57 cases, 36 were CHM, 13 were PHM, and 8 were categorized as indeterminate. Serum β-hCG levels showed statistically significant variation among the three groups, with CHM showing markedly higher levels than PHM. Elevated β-hCG demonstrated a strong association with the histopathological diagnosis of HM.
Conclusion: Pretreatment serum β-hCG level is a valuable adjunct in differentiating complete from partial hydatidiform mole. When used alongside histopathological assessment, β-hCG can enhance diagnostic confidence and guide appropriate clinical management.

[Journal of Histopathology and Cytopathology, 2026 Jan; 10 (1):71-83]
DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.69950/jhc.2026.10.1.9

Keywords: β-hCG, complete hydatidiform mole, partial hydatidiform mole, trophoblastic disease.

1. Dr. Mohammad Mosiur Rahman, Associate Professor, Patholog), Bangladesh Medical University, Bangladesh. mosiurpath@bsmmu.edu.bd.
2. Dr. AKM Nurul Kabir, Professor, Pathology, Bangladesh Medical University, Dhaka
3. Dr. Tasmia Islam, Assistant Professor, Pathology, Bangladesh Medical University. Dhaka
4. Dr. Syeeda Shiraj-Um-Mahmuda, MD (Pathology), OSD, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).
5. Dr. Rezwana Karim, Associate Professor (C.C), Pathology, US – Bangla Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka
6. *Dr. Ummey Salma Shabnam, Assistant Professor (Histopathology), National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital, Place. salmamithun@gmail.com. Orcid id: 0009-0005-1751-116X,

*For correspondence

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