[Two cases of testicular cancer with low human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels after treatment].
Some patients with testicular cancer exhibit low human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels even after successful treatment. We report 2 patients with testicular cancer (2 non-seminomatous germ cell tumors [NSGCTs]) and low betahhCG levels with no recurrence after successful treatment. The first patient is a 45-year-old man with pulmonary and retroperitoneal lymph node metastases. During the first chemotherapy the hCG level decreased but remained at a low level. Salvage chemotherapy had no effect on the hCG level, but a low betahCG level persisted for 16 months. The second case is a 19-year-old man with testicular cancer with retroperitoneal lymph node metastases. The patient underwent an operation for residual masses after chemotherapy. Pathological findings showed necrotic tissue, and a low betahCG level persist for 160 months. A low hCG level does not necessarily meen residual malignancy. Patients with a low hCG level should be monaged carefully avoiding needless treatment.
Takizawa
Akitoshi
A
The Department of Urology, Kanagawa Cancer Center.
Miura
Takeshi
T
Fujinami
Kiyoshi
K
Osada
Yutaka
Y
D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000032:analysis*; D018237:Germinoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000032:analysis*; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C063554:urinary gonadotropin fragment