Bladder carcinoma associated with ectopic production of gonadotropin

A rare incidence of a primary gonadotropin-producing bladder carcinoma in which gynecomastia appeared in the terminal stage was encountered in a 76-year-old Japanese male. There was a good probability that the symptoms of hormonal activity were due to chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), since its whole molecule, beta- and alpha-subunits were detected by radioimmunoassay in the blood, urine, and the tissue from the malignant neoplasm, and the plasma and urine estrogens were elevated. Recent papers concerning the synthesis of hCG-like material by neoplastic cells are reviewed and the implication of the measurement of beta- and alpha-subunits of hCG in various neoplastic diseases are discussed. Other characteristic profiles of plasma hormonal levels are also discussed in this case.