Production of human chorionic gonadotropin-beta subunit associated with an osteolytic meningioma. Case report

J Neurosurg. 2002 Jul;97(1):197-9. doi: 10.3171/jns.2002.97.1.0197.

Abstract

An osteolytic meningioma in a 36-year-old woman was accompanied by elevated serum levels of human chorionic gonadotropin-beta subunit (beta-HCG), which returned to normal after removal of the tumor. Light microscopy examination demonstrated a transitional meningioma. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the tumor cells had a positive reaction for beta-HCG. This case illustrates the possibility that meningioma may be associated with clinically detectable secretion of beta-HCG. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case in which meningioma has been shown to secrete beta-HCG. The authors believe that meningioma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of choriocarcinoma, embryonal cell tumor, germinoma, and metastatic ovarian tumor associated with elevated levels of beta-HCG.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / blood*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / blood*
  • Meningeal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Meningioma / blood*
  • Meningioma / pathology
  • Osteolysis / blood*
  • Osteolysis / pathology
  • Skull / pathology

Substances

  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human