Elevated hCG levels can be indicative of which conditions?

Elevated human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels can indeed indicate both choriocarcinoma and hydatidiform mole, making the combined option the correct choice.

Choriocarcinoma is a type of gestational trophoblastic disease, which is a malignant tumor that can arise from trophoblastic tissue, typically after a pregnancy. It produces high levels of hCG, which is often used as a tumor marker. Similarly, a hydatidiform mole, which is also a form of gestational trophoblastic disease, involves the abnormal growth of trophoblastic tissue, leading to increased hCG production. This can result in a full mole (complete hydatidiform mole) or a partial mole, both of which are associated with elevated hCG levels.

While exploring conditions that would not be correct choices, rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that can develop after a streptococcal throat infection and is unrelated to hCG production.

Thus, the association of elevated hCG with both choriocarcinoma and hydatidiform mole is well established, reflecting the role of trophoblastic tissues in producing this hormone in both benign and malignant forms of gestational trophoblastic disease.