A case of a man with primary choriocarcinoma of the lung with abnormally
high β-human chorionic gonadotropin levels in a bloody pleural fluid
effusion
Abstract
A 69-year-old man presented with bloody pleural fluid effusion with
elevated human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels obtained by
thoracentesis. The patient’s condition rapidly declined, and he died. An
autopsy revealed primary lung choriocarcinoma. The early diagnosis of
choriocarcinoma based on β-hCG levels in pleural fluid may be possible.