Pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung with high serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin level and gynecomastia

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Pleomorphic carcinoma of the lung is defined as a group of poorly differentiated non-small cell carcinoma that contains a component of sarcoma or sarcoma-like elements and shows carcinomatous as well as spindle and/or giant cell components [1]. Pleomorphic component should comprise at least 10% of neoplasm. It's a rare tumor that makes up only 0.1% to 0.4% of all malignant lung tumors, and its clinical prognosis is highly unpredictable [2-4].Elevated serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (βhCG) levels have been reported in 12% of NSCLC patients [5]. When immunohistochemical methods are used, βhCG positivity have been detected in 28% of the resected specimens [5]. Although βhCG production is not seen rarely in NSCLC, clinically significant symptoms, e.g. gynecomastia are uncommon. Here we describe a 50-yr-old male patient with pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma producing high levels of βhCG and presenting with gynecomastia.