Production of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin by prostatic adenocarcinoma and transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract.

Abstract

Ectopic production and secretion of hormones by a wide variety of tumours has been known for many years. Recently human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) production and/or secretion have been noted in 15 cases with prostatic adenocarcinoma (Fukutani et al. 1983; Papapetrou et al. 1980: Broder et al. 1977; Menon & Stefani 1980; McManus et al. 1976) and in two with upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (Fukutani et al. 1983; McManus et al. 1976). In this study we utilised the indirect immunoperoxidate technique to demonstrate beta-HCG production in prostatic adenocarcinoma and upper urinary tract urothelial tumours. Of 100 cases of prostatic adenocarcinoma beta-HCG production was demonstrated in nine cases, eight of which were poorly differentiated, and of 14 urothelial tumours of the upper urinary tract beta-HCG production was present in two high grade transitional cell carcinomas.