The choriocarcinoma syndrome: an emergency

A 36-year-old male patient is described who presented with gynaecomastia, pulmonary nodules and a retroperitoneal mass in combination with a markedly elevated HCG level. A diagnosis of "choriocarcinoma syndrome" was made. Despite a clear response from the tumour to chemotherapy the patient died, at least partially due to delay in treatment. Prompt treatment even without cytological or histological proof is therefore stressed.