J Gynecol Oncol.  2011 Dec;22(4):288-291. 10.3802/jgo.2011.22.4.288.

A mediastinal germ cell tumor mimicking an ectopic pregnancy

• Rivera C
• Poingt M
• Vandenbossche F
• Jougon J

• KMID: 2173631
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3802/jgo.2011.22.4.288

Abstract

The objective is to report the case of a 36 year-old female with a primary mediastinal germ cell tumor mimicking an ectopic pregnancy. The patient under birth control pill presented, at seven weeks of amenorrhea, a beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) level of 850 UI and uterine vacuity with left lateral uterine heterogeneous mass but no bleeding and no pain. She received left adnexectomy, uterine curettage and further treatment by methotrexate because of persistent high beta-hCG markers. Computed tomography scan finally permitted to discover a voluminous anterior mediastinal tumor. We may recommend investigating patients with a simple chest X-ray that present with persistent increased beta-hCG despite efficient ectopic pregnancy treatment.

Keyword

Ectopic pregnancy; Germ cell tumor; Mediastinum

MeSH Terms

Amenorrhea
Chorionic Gonadotropin
Contraception
Curettage
Female
Germ Cells
Hemorrhage
Humans
Mediastinum
Methotrexate
Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal
Pregnancy
Pregnancy, Ectopic
Thorax
Chorionic Gonadotropin
Methotrexate

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Chest X-ray revealed an expansive anterior mediastinal mass.

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