Production of human chorionic gonadotropin-beta subunit associated with an osteolytic meningioma. Case report.
An osteolytic meningioma in a 36-year-old woman was accompanied by elevated serum levels of human chorionic gonadotropin-beta subunit (beta-HCG), which returned to normal after removal of the tumor. Light microscopy examination demonstrated a transitional meningioma. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the tumor cells had a positive reaction for beta-HCG. This case illustrates the possibility that meningioma may be associated with clinically detectable secretion of beta-HCG. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case in which meningioma has been shown to secrete beta-HCG. The authors believe that meningioma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of choriocarcinoma, embryonal cell tumor, germinoma, and metastatic ovarian tumor associated with elevated levels of beta-HCG.
Department of Neurosurgery, Chang Gung University, Kaohsiung Medical Center, Kaohsiung Hsien, Taiwan.
Cheng-shyuan
CS
Rau
Jui-wei
JW
Lin
Cheng-loong
CL
Liang
Tao-chen
TC
Lee
Han-jung
HJ
Chen
Kang
K
Lu
D000328:Adult; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000097:blood*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D008579:Meningioma / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D010014:Osteolysis / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D012886:Skull / Q000473:pathology
D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human