Recurrent pure CNS germinoma with markedly elevated serum and cerebrospinal fluid human chorionic gonadotropin-beta (HCGβ)

Soumen Khatua*, Andrew Phillips, Jason Fangusaro, Sally Bovan, Girish Dhall, Jonathan L. Finlay

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Controversy continues regarding what level of serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) human chorionic gonadotrophin-beta (HCGβ) is consistent with pure germinoma of the central nervous system (CNS). We report a 10-year female with biopsy-proven pure germinoma and normal serum and CSF HCGβ who experienced subsequent biopsy-proven recurrences of germinoma. At recurrence, serum and CSF HCGβ levels were 560 and 3,202mIU/ml, respectively, although final autopsy demonstrated pure germinoma. This case illustrates the need to re-evaluate the assumption that pathologically pure germinomas may be associated with high levels of HCGβ which are unrelated to nongerminomatous germ cell tumor (NGGCT)/choriocarcinomatous elements.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)863-864
Number of pages2
JournalPediatric Blood and Cancer
Volume56
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2011

Keywords

  • Central nervous system
  • Germinoma
  • HCGβ

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hematology
  • Oncology
  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

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