Retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma and enlarged epididymis associated with a positive pregnancy test

Ishak A. Mansi, Ida Ashley, Valery Glezerov

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

A 57-year-old man presented with a 1-month history of progressive abdominal pain and weight loss. A palpable, nonpulsatile, firm abdominal mass was felt below the xiphisternum down to the pelvis. A pregnancy test performed on a urine sample was positive. Testicular examination and testicular ultrasound were normal. Computerized tomography of the abdomen revealed a retroperitoneal mass measuring 30 × 21 × 13 cm. Serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) was serially increased (19.71-22.71 mlU/mL). Results of histopathology tests confirmed the diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma. The level of serum β-HCG decreased to < 0.2 mlU/mL after chemotherapy. β-HCG is usually increased in germ-cell tumors but few reports in the literature describe β-HCG-secreting leiomyosarcomas. The incidence of increased levels of β-HCG in sarcomas in general, and its potential role as a tumor marker, is not known. A simple urine pregnancy test may be done in the work-up of abdominal masses.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)104-105
Number of pages2
JournalAmerican Journal of the Medical Sciences
Volume324
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002

Keywords

  • Retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma
  • β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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