Serum &beta;‑hCG as a prognostic marker for colorectal adenocarcinoma in women of reproductive age: A case report and literature review

Gong,Changlin; Vikash,Fnu; Silberstein,Juliet; White,Sherrie; Kotler,Donald

doi:10.3892/mi.2024.207

Serum β‑hCG as a prognostic marker for colorectal adenocarcinoma in women of reproductive age: A case report and literature review

Authors:
- Changlin Gong
- Fnu Vikash
- Juliet Silberstein
- Sherrie White
- Donald Kotler
View Affiliations

Affiliations: Department of Medicine, Jacobi Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA, Department of Pathology, Jacobi Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA, Division of Gastroenterology, Jacobi Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
Published online on: November 18, 2024 https://doi.org/10.3892/mi.2024.207
Article Number: 8
Copyright : © Gong et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License [CC BY 4.0].

Metrics: Total Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )

Metrics: Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )

Cited By (CrossRef): 0 citations Loading Articles...

Abstract

Serological and histological examinations have unveiled the presence of free β subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (β‑hCG) in some cases of colorectal adenocarcinoma. The present study describes an unusual case of a young female patient afflicted with rapidly advancing adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid colon. Despite the absence of pregnancy indications on an ultrasound and curettage, a notable elevation of β‑hCG was detected in the serum, alongside positive staining in the tumor tissue. β‑hCG‑positive colorectal adenocarcinoma is associated with a lower survival rate, tissue invasion and metastases, as well as a good response to chemotherapy, compared with β‑hCG‑negative counterparts. Moreover, the serum β‑hCG level decreases with treatment. Thus, β‑hCG may serve as a tumor marker for response monitoring. However, further studies are required to investigate the potential benefit of routine serological and histological β‑hCG studies in patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma.

View Figures

View References

1	Labianca R, Beretta GD, Kildani B, Milesi L, Merlin F, Mosconi S, Pessi MA, Prochilo T, Quadri A, Gatta G, et al: Colon cancer. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 74:106–133. 2010.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
2	Louhimo J, Carpelan-Holmström M, Alfthan H, Stenman UH, Järvinen HJ and Haglun C: Serum HCG beta, CA 72-4 and CEA are independent prognostic factors in colorectal cancer. Int J Cancer. 101:545–548. 2002.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
3	Webb A, Scott-Mackie P, Cunningham D, Norman A, Andreyev J, O'Brien M and Bensted J: The prognostic value of CEA, beta HCG, AFP, CA125, CA19-9 and C-erb B-2, beta HCG immunohistochemistry in advanced colorectal cancer. Ann Oncol. 6:581–587. 1995.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
4	Korhonen J, Stenman UH and Ylöstalo P: Serum human chorionic gonadotropin dynamics during spontaneous resolution of ectopic pregnancy. Fertil Steril. 61:632–636. 1994.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
5	Campo E, Palacin A, Benasco C, Quesada E and Cardesa A: Human chorionic gonadotropin in colorectal carcinoma. An immunohistochemical study. Cancer. 59:1611–1616. 1987.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
6	Yamaguchi A, Ishida T, Nishimura G, Kumaki T, Katoh M, Kosaka T, Yonemura Y and Miyazaki I: Human chorionic gonadotropin in colorectal cancer and its relationship to prognosis. Br J Cancer. 60:382–384. 1989.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
7	Li J, Yin M, Song W, Cui F, Wang W, Wang S and Zhu H: B subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin promotes tumor invasion and predicts poor prognosis of early-stage colorectal cancer. Cell Physiol Biochem. 45:237–249. 2018.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
8	Szymendera JJ, Kaminska JA, Nowacki MP, Szawłowski AW and Gadek A: The serum levels of human alpha-fetoprotein, AFP, choriogonadotropin, hCG, placental lactogen, hPL, and pregnancy-specific beta 1-glycoprotein, SP1, are of no clinical significance in colorectal carcinoma. Eur J Cancer Clin Oncol. 17:1047–1052. 1981.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
9	Shousha S, Chappell R, Matthews J and Cooke T: Human chorionic gonadotrophin expression in colorectal adenocarcinoma. Dis Colon Rectum. 29:558–560. 1986.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
10	Mashiach R, Kaplan B, Braslavsky D, Sandbank Y, Neri A, Ovadia J and Schoenfeld A: Carcinoma of the colon associated with high extragenital production of beta-hCG-a case report. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 74:845–848. 1995.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
11	Metz KA, Richter HJ and Leder LD: Adenocarcinoma of the colon with syncytiotrophoblastic differentiation: Differential diagnosis and implications. Pathol Res Pract. 179:419–424. 1985.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
12	Hainsworth JD and Greco FA: Human chorionic gonadotropin production by colon carcinoma. Biochemical heterogeneity and identification of a chemotherapy-sensitive cell subpopulation. Cancer. 56:1337–1340. 1985.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
13	Dangles V, Halberstam I, Scardino A, Choppin J, Wertheimer M, Richon S, Quelvennec E, Moirand R, Guillet JG, Kosmatopoulos K, et al: Tumor-associated antigen human chorionic gonadotropin beta contains numerous antigenic determinants recognized by in vitro-induced CD8+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes. Cancer Immunol Immunother. 50:673–681. 2002.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
14	Li PH, Zhang X, Yan H, Xia X, Deng Y, Miao Q, Luo Y, Liu G, Luo H, Zhang Y, et al: Contribution of crosstalk of mesothelial and tumoral epithelial cells in pleural metastasis of lung cancer. Transl Lung Cancer Res. 13:965–985. 2024.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
15	American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Committee on Practice Bulletins-Gynecology. ACOG practice bulletin no. 193: Tubal ectopic pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 131:e91–e103. 2018.PubMed/NCBI View Article : Google Scholar
16	Tulandi T: Ectopic pregnancy: Clinical manifestations and diagnosis. UpToDate 2024. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/ectopic-pregnancy-clinical-manifestations-and-diagnosis?search=ectopic%20pregnancy&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1%7E150&usage_type=default&display_rank=1#H3573597546. Accessed September 11, 2024.