Production of human chorionic gonadotropin-beta subunit associated with an osteolytic meningioma. Case report.

An osteolytic meningioma in a 36-year-old woman was accompanied by elevated serum levels of human chorionic gonadotropin-beta subunit (beta-HCG), which returned to normal after removal of the tumor. Light microscopy examination demonstrated a transitional meningioma. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the tumor cells had a positive reaction for beta-HCG. This case illustrates the possibility that meningioma may be associated with clinically detectable secretion of beta-HCG. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case in which meningioma has been shown to secrete beta-HCG. The authors believe that meningioma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of choriocarcinoma, embryonal cell tumor, germinoma, and metastatic ovarian tumor associated with elevated levels of beta-HCG.