Choriocarcinoma and Undifferentiated Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder with Gonadotropin Secretion

Abstract

A case of choriocarcinoma and undifferentiated cell carcinoma of the bladder is reported. Transitional cell carcinoma was found initially in the bladder wall and in the terminal stage there was clinical evidence of production of gonadotropin. The concept of choriocarcinoma mimicry would supplant the explanation for the pathological features in this case.

Nongestational choriocarcinoma arising from a primary ovarian tumour

“…Reported sites for nongestational choriocarcinoma include lungs, peritoneum, liver, gall bladder, colon, urinary tract, pineal gland, retroperitoneum, stomach and mediastinum 5–11 …”

“…Reported sites for nongestational choriocarcinoma include lungs, peritoneum, liver, gall bladder, colon, urinary tract, pineal gland, retroperitoneum, stomach and mediastinum. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Our woman, however, presented with primary ovarian nongestational choriocarcinoma. The presence of pulmonary lesions suggestive of lung metastasis in our woman with a markedly raised level of beta hCG led to a review of her histology.…”

Composition of Intact Hormone and Free Subunits in the Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin‐like Material Found in Serum and Urine of Patients With Carcinoma of the Bladder

“…This and the rarity of gynaecomastia led earlier investigators to describe these cases as malignant chorioepithelioma of the bladder. Biochemical investigation of these patients usually showed intact hCG (Kawamura et al, 1978(Kawamura et al, , 1979Hattori et af., 1980). However, some have noted an excess of free B-subunit of hCG (Rodenburg el af., 1985;Norman et al, 1985a).…”

“…However, several case reports of ectopic hCG expression by bladder tumours have described clinical features associated with biologically active hCG (gonadal atrophy and gynaecomastia). High levels of intact hCG have been found in these patients (Kawamura et a/., 1978(Kawamura et a/., , 1979. However, gynaecomastia is a rare occurrence in bladder cancer patients.…”

Raised serum hCG in a male patient caused by primary jejunal choriocarcinoma.

“…They may, however, originate in extragenital sites such as the mediastinum, retroperitoneum, pineal gland, liver, gallbladder, and urinary tract. [3][4][5] Primary choriocarcinoma in the gastrointestinal tract is rare and has been most often reported in the stomach. 6 7 So far only three cases of primary choriocarcinoma of the small intestine have been reported in English language journals.…”