[Ectopic HCG in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder by immuno-histochemical survey]

Production of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) by transitional cell carcinoma of bladder is considered as a rare phenomenon. Among 60 cases of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, six cases were positive for beta-HCG, which were detected with anti-beta-HCG by PAP technique. They were classified as grade III and IV, being provided with 20.68% of all of the grade III and IV cases reported, of these six patients, four died within one year. It is suggested that carcinomas of the bladder bearing the capability of producing HCG tend to have a higher malignancy and poor histological differentiation. The possible origin and histogenesis of HCG are discussed.