Retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma and enlarged epididymis associated with a positive pregnancy test.
A 57-year-old man presented with a 1-month history of progressive abdominal pain and weight loss. A palpable, nonpulsatile, firm abdominal mass was felt below the xiphisternum down to the pelvis. A pregnancy test performed on a urine sample was positive. Testicular examination and testicular ultrasound were normal. Computerized tomography of the abdomen revealed a retroperitoneal mass measuring 30 x 21 x 13 cm. Serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-HCG) was serially increased (19.71-22.71 mIU/mL). Results of histopathology tests confirmed the diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma. The level of serum beta-HCG decreased to < 0.2 mlU/mL after chemotherapy. Beta-HCG is usually increased in germ-cell tumors but few reports in the literature describe beta-HCG-secreting leiomyosarcomas. The incidence of increased levels of beta-HCG in sarcomas in general, and its potential role as a tumor marker, is not known. A simple urine pregnancy test may be done in the work-up of abdominal masses.
Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai Services at Queens Hospital Center, Jamaica, New Y ork 11432, USA.
Ishak A
IA
Mansi
Ida
I
Ashley
Valery
V
Glezerov
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D004822:Epididymis / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy; D007890:Leiomyosarcoma / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011258:Pregnancy Tests; D012186:Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human