title: Beta-HCG aberrant expression in primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma.
abstract: We report on a primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma with aberrant expression of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG). The patient, a 33-year-old man, had cough, dyspnea, fever, superior vena cava syndrome, and a mediastinal bulky tumor. A biopsy showed that the latter was characterized by large cells, sclerosis, and compartmentalization. The neoplastic elements expressed CD45, CD20, CD79a and, partially, CD30, whereas they were negative for CD3, epithelial membrane antigen and cytokeratins. Surprisingly, they displayed a clear-cut positivity for beta-hCG. The remaining oncofetal markers applied (PLAP and alpha1-fetoprotein) were negative. Electron microscopy demonstrated the presence of numerous nuclear pockets and the lack of intercellular junctions. DNA analysis by polymerase chain reaction showed clonal rearrangement of Ig heavy-chain genes. The patient responded promptly to the administration of MACOP-B. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of B-cell lymphoma showing positivity for beta-hCG; a similar aberrant expression was previously observed only in three Japanese patients with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I+ adult T-cell lymphoma/leukemia. Because primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma has in the past been frequently confused with germ cell tumors, pathologists should be aware of possible beta-hCG expression by lymphomatous cells to avoid the risk of misdiagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Service of Pathologic Anatomy and Hematopathology, Institute of Hematology and Clinical Oncology L. e A. Seràgnoli, St. Orsola Hospital, Bologna University, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fraternali-Orcioni
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Falini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Quaini
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Campo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piccioli
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gamberi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pasquinelli
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Poggi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ascani
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sabattini
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Pileri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000378:metabolism*; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / Q000235:genetics; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016393:Lymphoma, B-Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains; D001761:Bleomycin; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D002955:Leucovorin; D011241:Prednisone; D008727:Methotrexate