Ectopic production of human chorionic gonadotropin by synovial sarcoma of the hip.
BACKGROUND
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a marker of pregnancy and a tumor marker for some gynecologic malignancies, including germ cell tumors and gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. Rarely, hCG is secreted by nongynecologic tumors, confounding the diagnosis.


METHODS
A 45-year-old woman was evaluated for a persistently elevated β-hCG. Diagnosis of her primary malignancy, synovial sarcoma of the hip, was delayed as more common etiologies were considered, including ectopic pregnancy and gestational trophoblastic neoplasm. The workup eventually led to the diagnosis using imaging studies but ultimately resulted in a 3-month delay and unnecessary medical and surgical treatments.


CONCLUSIONS
This case highlights the importance of nongynecologic malignancies when evaluating patients with a persistent β-hCG.
SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology-Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Brooklyn, New York 11203, USA. erin.stevens@downstate.edu
Erin E
EE
Stevens
Jennifer
J
Aquino
Nekia
N
Barrow
Yi-Chun
YC
Lee
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood*; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006621:Hip Joint; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D013584:Sarcoma, Synovial / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin