title: Ectopic production of the beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin in osteosarcoma.
abstract: Production of human chorionic gonadotropin by sarcomas is an uncommon phenomenon that has rarely been documented. A case of a 26-year-old woman with osteosarcoma of the left fibula and high levels of serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-HCG) is described. Immunoperoxidase staining showed numerous tumor cells reacting with the beta-HCG antibody. Immunohistochemical studies performed on ten additional osteosarcomas demonstrated another case in which some tumor cells presented immunoreactivity for beta-HCG. These results indicate that beta-HCG may be used as a marker of persistent or recurrent disease in those uncommon cases of osteosarcoma in which serum levels of beta-HCG are elevated at the onset of treatment.
authors: Department of Pathology, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Hospital, Houston 77030.
authors: N G
authors: NG
authors: Ordóñez
authors: A G
authors: AG
authors: Ayala
authors: A K
authors: AK
authors: Raymond
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Plager
authors: R S
authors: RS
authors: Benjamin
authors: N A
authors: NA
authors: Samaan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D012516:Osteosarcoma / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D010446:Peptide Fragments