Caroline Miller1, Miriam McQuade2, Julia MacCallum2, Y Victoria Zhang3. 1. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States. 2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States. 3. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States. Electronic address: Victoria_Zhang@urmc.rochester.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: We describe a case of a female patient with a complex medical history, including squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, and persistent elevation in serum hCG and no confirmed intrauterine or extrauterine pregnancy. METHODS: The clinical chemistry laboratory was called upon to help clarify the situation and reach a diagnosis. RESULTS: Multiple potential sources of elevated hCG were considered and excluded. CONCLUSIONS: This case shows a rare example of paraneoplastic hCG expression and highlights the role of the clinical chemistry laboratory in resolving diagnostic dilemmas and interpreting laboratory results in patients with multiple medical comorbidities.
BACKGROUND: We describe a case of a female patient with a complex medical history, including squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, and persistent elevation in serum hCG and no confirmed intrauterine or extrauterine pregnancy. METHODS: The clinical chemistry laboratory was called upon to help clarify the situation and reach a diagnosis. RESULTS: Multiple potential sources of elevated hCG were considered and excluded. CONCLUSIONS: This case shows a rare example of paraneoplastic hCG expression and highlights the role of the clinical chemistry laboratory in resolving diagnostic dilemmas and interpreting laboratory results in patients with multiple medical comorbidities.