Pediatric germ cell and human chorionic gonadotropin-producing tumors. Clinical and laboratory features
A. T. Englund, M. E. Geffner, R. A. Nagel, B. M. Lippe and G. D. Braunstein
Department of Pediatrics, UCLA Medical Center 90024.
Germ cell tumors may cause various aberrations in pubertal development. In
prepubertal boys, these tumors may secrete human chorionic gonadotropin,
resulting in precocious puberty. Human chorionic gonadotropin and
alpha-fetoprotein are both useful as germ cell tumor markers in the
diagnosis and detection of recurrence. Pregnancy-specific beta
1-glycoprotein, another oncoplacental antigen, has been used as a tumor
marker for trophoblastic neoplasms, but not previously for human chorionic
gonadotropin-producing tumors associated with precocious puberty. Patients
with germ cell tumors may also have abnormal karyotypes. Herein, we
describe six male pediatric patients with germ cell tumors and pubertal
derangements seen during an 8-year period. We confirm the high incidence of
associated sexual precocity, the usefulness of alpha-fetoprotein, human
chorionic gonadotropin, and pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoprotein as tumor
markers in the diagnosis and follow-up of these patients, and the
occurrence of sex chromosomal abnormalities.
