Ectopic production of the beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin in osteosarcoma.
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.
Ordóñez
N G
NG
Department of Pathology, University of Texas M. D. Anderson Hospital, Houston 77030.
Ayala
A G
AG
Raymond
A K
AK
Plager
C
C
Benjamin
R S
RS
Samaan
N A
NA
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*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D010446:Peptide Fragments