Human chorionic gonadotropin-secreting clear cell renal cell carcinoma with paraneoplastic gynaecomastia

Peripheral precocious puberty in a girl with an intracranial hCG-producing tumor: case report and literature review

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-producing tumors cause peripheral precocious puberty (PP) in boys, but generally not in girls. Homology between LH and hCG activates the LH receptor in testicular Leydig cells, increases testosterone production, and causes virilization. However, since FSH action is required for follicle development, hCG action alone does not increase estradiol (E2) production and does not cause feminization. Only a few cases of peripheral PP with hCG tumors in girls have been reported. We describe the case of a 7-year-old Japanese girl with peripheral PP associated with an hCG-producing tumor. She had prolonged vomiting, loss of appetite, and Tanner stage III breast development. Although no apparent increase in growth rate, bone age was advanced at 9.8 years. Serum E2 was slightly elevated and LH and FSH were below the measurement sensitivity, and abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography images showed no abnormal findings in the uterus or ovaries. Subsequently, she developed visual field disturbance and loss of consciousness, and brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intracranial tumor. Based on pathological findings and abnormally high serum hCG-β level (48,800 IU/L), intracranial choriocarcinoma was diagnosed. 2.5 months after the start of chemotherapy, the hCG-β level became almost negative and the breast development disappeared synchronously. Tissue immunostaining of the tumor showed strong positivity for aromatase and hCG, indicating that the choriocarcinoma cells themselves may have produced estrogen via aromatase. This unique case highlights the possibility that hCG-producing tumors can cause peripheral PP in girls as well as boys.

Spontaneous bleeding from an unusual renal mass: A case of gestational choriocarcinoma related to previous pregnancy over a decade earlier

Gestational choriocarcinoma is an uncommon trophoblastic malignancy, occurring in females after pregnancy, which is rarely encountered by urologists. It can be rapidly progressive, however metastases to other organs can occur after a prolonged latency period. We describe a rare case of solitary metastatic gestational choriocarcinoma presenting with spontaneous bleeding from a renal mass, over a decade after the associated pregnancy with a presumed sub-clinical primary tumour. This case demonstrates the importance of recognising gestational choriocarcinoma as a potential differential diagnosis of spontaneous bleeding renal mass in females of child-bearing age as a urologist given the often-aggressive nature of the disease.

Galactorrhea, mastodynia and gynecomastia as the first manifestation of lung adenocarcinoma. A case report

Gynecomastia with mastodynia and galactorrhea as a paraneoplastic syndrome due to lung cancer with complete response after surgical excision is rare. A 62-year-old Caucasian male presented with mastodynia, galactorrhea and right breast enlargement. Chest x-ray revealed a left upper lobe tumor. The patient had high levels of serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (b-HCG) and prolactine. Complete staging was negative for metastases. A typical left upper lobectomy with radical mediastinal lymph node dissection was performed. Pathology report was consistent with a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (T₂N₁M₀). Immunohistochemically, multinucleate cells and occasional mononucleate tumor cells showed positivity for human chorionic gonadotropin. The patient received adjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin - navelbine. One year later physical examination showed regression of both gynecomastia and mastodynia and there was no nipple discharge, while he is free from local or distant metastatic disease and the b-HCG level is normal (1,59 mIU/ml). This case represents a very rare, first manifestation of lung cancer. Galactorrhea, mastodynia and gynecomastia were the initial symptoms, which totally resolved following the successful surgical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy. In this case, prolactin and b-HCG are useful biomarkers during follow up for checking local or distal recurrence of the disease.

Rare and changeable as a chameleon: paraneoplastic syndromes in renal cell carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Paraneoplastic syndromes (PNS) in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are important to be recognized by the treating physician, because they may lead to diagnosis of underlying malignant disease. On the other hand, PNS may dominate the clinical picture and can hide the true disorder like a chameleon. When realized, a PNS can be used as a 'neoplastic tumour marker', especially in case of recurrence. Their occurrence can even be linked to prognosis of disease.

METHODS

A PubMed search combining the MeSH terms renal cell carcinoma and paraneoplastic syndrome was executed in April 2015. All hits concerning these MeSH terms have been taken into account when writing this review.

RESULTS

There is a big gap between reporting and incidence of paraneoplastic syndromes in renal cell carcinoma. Most of the articles in Medline are case reports and reviews of research done in the 1950s-1990s. One problem is that a clear definition of a paraneoplastic syndrome is still lacking. The most important PNS in RCC are hypercalcemia. It is important that PNS are not only arising in advanced stages of renal cell carcinoma; in contrast, a PNS can often be the first symptom of RCC.

CONCLUSION

Paraneoplastic syndromes are often unrecognized but are important biomarkers in RCC. Further research into the underlying pathomechanisms of PNS may improve our understanding of the RCC tumour biology and is urgently needed.

When cancer patients suddenly have a positive pregnancy test

We present the case of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in a 48-year-old woman with an active history of smoking. The patient initially presented to her general practitioner with a progressive swelling on the neck. Further investigations diagnosed a metastatic lung tumour, and palliative chemotherapy was started. After 5 months of treatment, by newly reported amenorrhoea, cautiously before a restaging CT scan of the abdomen, a pregnancy test was performed and was positive. Both the gynaecological examination and the hormonal panel yielded no signs of pregnancy. Immunohistochemically, staining of the tumour was strongly positive for β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) suggesting that the tumour was responsible for high β-hCG levels.Paraneoplastic β-hCG secretion from adenocarcinomas is rare. In the literature, only a few such cases have been reported. Previous studies suggested that the ability to secrete β-hCG in tumours may correlate to some extent to chemoresistance and thus, to a worse prognosis.

Acanthosis Nigricans associated with clear-cell renal cell carcinoma

Acanthosis nigricans (AN), an entity recognized since the 19th century, is a dermatopathy associated with insulin-resistant conditions, endocrinopathies, drugs, chromosome abnormalities and neoplasia. The latter, also known as malignant AN, is mostly related to abdominal neoplasms. Malignant AN occurs frequently among elderly patients. In these cases, the onset is subtle, and spreading involves the flexural regions of the body, particularly the axillae, palms, soles, and mucosa. Gastric adenocarcinoma is the most frequent associated neoplasia, but many others have been reported. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), although already reported, is rarely associated with malignant AN. The authors report the case of a woman who was being treated for depression but presented a long-standing and marked weight loss, followed by darkening of the neck and the axillary regions. Physical examination disclosed a tumoral mass in the left flank and symmetrical, pigmented, velvety, verrucous plaques on both axillae, which is classical for AN. The diagnostic work-up disclosed a huge renal mass, which was resected and further diagnosed as a RCC. The post-operative period was uneventful and the skin alteration was evanescent at the first follow-up consultation. The authors call attention to the association of AN with RCC.

Renal cell carcinoma metastases to the spermatic cord: review of the literature and case presentation

We present a case of clear cell renal cell carcinoma with metachronous metastasis to the ipsilateral spermatic cord. We also review the literature of the rare instance of renal cell carcinoma metastasising to the spermatic cord.

BetaHCG secretion by a pulmonary adenocarcinoma

We report a rare case of metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer in a 43-year-old woman with a history of smoking. The tumor secreted human chorionic gonadotropin and its beta subunit (BetaHCG). The patient presented with amenorrhea, a positive pregnancy test and chest pain. A physical examination and investigations revealed no pregnancy, and it was determined that a paraneoplastic syndrome stemming from a pulmonary tumor was responsible for the secretion of BetaHCG. This secretion decreased with tumor response to chemotherapy. Only a few reports of paraneoplastic BetaHCG secretion can be found in the literature for several different cancers.

Pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung with high serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin level and gynecomastia

Although gynecomastia is a well-defined paraneoplastic syndrome in patients with non-small cell lung cancer, the association with pleomorphic carcinoma has not been reported. A 50-yr-old man presented with bilateral gynecomastia and elevated serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (βhCG) level. Chest tomography showed a mass in the right middle lobe. Right middle lobectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection were performed. βhCG levels decreased rapidly after surgery. Histological examination revealed pleomorphic carcinoma with positive immunostaining for βhCG. Serum βhCG levels began to increase gradually on postoperatively 4th month. Computed tomography detected recurrence and chemotherapy was started. After second cycle of chemotherapy, βhCG levels decreased dramatically again and tomography showed regression in mass. Patient died 6 months later due to brain metastasis. βhCG expression may be associated with aggressive clinical course and increased risk of recurrence, also βhCG levels may be used to evaluate therapy response in patients with pleomorphic carcinoma.