A mediastinal germ cell tumor mimicking an ectopic pregnancy

The objective is to report the case of a 36 year-old female with a primary mediastinal germ cell tumor mimicking an ectopic pregnancy. The patient under birth control pill presented, at seven weeks of amenorrhea, a β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) level of 850 UI and uterine vacuity with left lateral uterine heterogeneous mass but no bleeding and no pain. She received left adnexectomy, uterine curettage and further treatment by methotrexate because of persistent high β-hCG markers. Computed tomography scan finally permitted to discover a voluminous anterior mediastinal tumor. We may recommend investigating patients with a simple chest X-ray that present with persistent increased β-hCG despite efficient ectopic pregnancy treatment.