To examine this question, researchers at the Division of Cancer Prevention of the Center for Disease Control have taken information from surveys of American women and hospitals to characterize both the use of and the need for Pap smears in women who have undergone hysterectomies. One of the arguments for continuing this screening after hysterectomy for non-cancerous indications is the need to check for vaginal cancer or precancerous cell changes. However, Dr. Saraiya and her associates indicate that the incidence of vaginal cancer is very low for women with benign hysterectomy, and therefore does not justify the cost of the test in this group. According to this work, only women who had their hysterectomy for cervical cancer or those who did not have cancer, but still have a cervix, benefit from routine screening with Pap smears. This paper appears in the August 2001 issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology .
Treatment continues until the hCG level falls and consistently remains at a very low reading.
Hence, both the initial diagnosis and ongoing treatment of GTD is based on this blood test. Using a technique to block certain antibodies which can interfere with hCG testing, Dr. Cole identified 24 inaccurate hCG readings out of 60 samples tested at his facility, USA hCG Reference Service. From his research, it can be seen that the blood tests commonly used in the United States to assess hCG have a high rate of false positive readings. A more complete discussion of this important topic can be found Dr. Cole's article reproduced by permission on the the EyesonthePrize.org Website or you can visit the site for Dr. Cole's laboratory at the University of New Mexico. Dr. Cole is a member of the Medical Advisory Panel for EyesonthePrize.org.