[Hyperthyroidism caused by metastatic choriocarcinoma. A new male case]

The authors report a case of hyperthyroidism induced by a metastatic choriocarcinoma (retroperitoneal, lungs, vertebral and epidural localisations) in a 49 year old man. Tachycardia and possibly weight loss were the only clinical signs of thyrotoxicosis. Chemotherapy led to a remission of hyperthyroidism and tumoral syndrome for 4 months. Neoplasia relapsed and circulating levels of thyroid hormones were increased during the final stages. This is the fifth male reported case of choriocarcinoma associated with hyperthyroidism. Many previous studies suggest that hyperthyroidism is induced by HCG thyroid stimulating activity.