[Two cases of testicular cancer with low human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels after treatment].

Abstract

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.

• Authors: Akitoshi Takizawa, Takeshi Miura, Kiyoshi Fujinami, Yutaka Osada
• Journal: Hinyokika kiyo. Acta urologica Japonica (Hinyokika Kiyo) Vol. 51 Issue 7 Pg. 479-82 (Jul 2005) ISSN: 0018-1994 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 16119815 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Chorionic Gonadotropin
• Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human
• Peptide Fragments
• urinary gonadotropin fragment

Topics

• Adult
• Chorionic Gonadotropin (blood)
• Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human (analysis)
• Germinoma (metabolism)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Peptide Fragments (analysis)
• Testicular Neoplasms (metabolism)