Sexual precocity and recurrent beta-human chorionic gonadotropin upsurges preceding the diagnosis of a malignant mediastinal germ-cell tumor in a 9-year-old boy

Ann Oncol. 2002 Jun;13(6):975-7. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdf085.

Abstract

Numerous disorders are known to cause sexual precocity. Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-HCG)-secreting germ-cell tumors are one of the sources that have to be considered in the differential diagnosis of processes inducing a peripheral precocious puberty. Germ-cell tumors might be located in the ovaries or testes, retroperitoneum, mediastinum or the cranium. We present the case of a 9-year-old boy with sexual precocity and a recurrent transient beta-HCG elevation. After an interval of 2 years with repeated radiological examinations including the mediastinum, a mediastinal tumor was identified by magnetic resonance imaging. To our knowledge, this is the first case of a diagnosis of a mediastinal choriocarcinoma with a recurrent serum beta-HCG elevation. So far, factors that might be responsible for the repeated spontaneous beta-HCG decline are unknown.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage
  • Blood Chemical Analysis
  • Child
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / analysis*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Germinoma / diagnosis*
  • Germinoma / therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / therapy
  • Puberty, Precocious / diagnosis*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Thoracotomy / methods
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human