Gynaecomastia in a patient with a hCG producing giant cell carcinoma of the lung. Case report

Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes. 1995;103(1):28-32. doi: 10.1055/s-0029-1211326.

Abstract

Gynaecomastia, or enlargement of the male breast may result from various endocrine dysfunctions and often reflects ectopic production of substances such as hCG and estradiol. We report on the case of a 30 year old man who presented with gynaecomastia and elevated plasma levels of hCG, estradiol and testosterone. As a result of several diagnostic procedures such as selective venous sampling and magnetic resonance tomography (MRT), a hCG producing tumor of the upper lobe of the left lung was found. This hormonal overproduction induced an enhanced secretion of estradiol and testosterone in the testicular tissue. Histology revealed a giant cell carcinoma with positive immunostaining for hCG. This case report further underlines the necessity of an intensive search for ectopic beta-hCG production due to malignant tumours, in particular in the adult.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carcinoma, Giant Cell / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma, Giant Cell / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Giant Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Giant Cell / surgery
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin / blood
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin / metabolism*
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone / analogs & derivatives
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone / blood
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
  • Estradiol / blood
  • Estradiol / metabolism
  • Gynecomastia / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / blood
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / surgery
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Testis / metabolism
  • Testosterone / blood
  • Testosterone / metabolism
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Chorionic Gonadotropin
  • Testosterone
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone
  • Estradiol
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
  • Hydrocortisone