Primary intracranial HCG-producing germinoma in a boy with congenital adrenal hyperplasia

A primary intracranial HCG-producing tumour was studied in an 8 year old boy with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. The case provided a unique opportunity to study the sequential changes in serum and urinary androgens and HCG as measured by radioreceptor assay for HCG and by radioimmunoassay for HCG using antisera raised against the hormone specific for the beta subunit of HCG. Plasma concentrations of HCG, measured by the radioreceptor assay, closely correlated with the biologic activity of his tumour, as measured by serum testosterone concentration. This case demonstrates that precocious puberty in any child, including one with a known androgen disorder such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia, warrants through investigation.