A paraneoplastic syndrome mimicking extrauterine pregnancy

Ann Oncol. 2002 Jan;13(1):170-2. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdf011.

Abstract

We report on a 30-year-old female patient with a beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-HCG)-producing lung tumour. Abdominal discomfort and vaginal bleeding were the presenting symptoms and, in conjunction with elevated beta-HCG levels, initially led to the diagnosis of extrauterine pregnancy. Bilateral ovarian cysts were detected on further diagnostic workup. Ultimately, a chest X-ray revealed a lung tumour. The paraneoplastic symptoms were completely reversible after resection of the lung lesion, and the ovarian cysts disappeared.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / blood*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / blood*
  • Lung Neoplasms / complications
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Ovarian Cysts / complications
  • Ovarian Cysts / therapy
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy, Ectopic / blood
  • Pregnancy, Ectopic / diagnosis*
  • X-Rays

Substances

  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human
  • Methotrexate