Human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, is a hormone that is produced by a developing embryo during pregnancy. HCG is also an important marker for certain tumors. However, it is not known if elevated levels of hCG cause tumor growth or are a result of tumorigenesis. The presence of hCG in men is an indication for clinical concern.
Choriocarcinoma
A choriocarcinoma is a type of germ cell tumor and is an aggressive cancer of the placenta. Rarely, this cancer can occur in other locations, such as the testicles. Choriocarcinoma of the testes is the most aggressive germ cell line tumor found in adults. Patients with choriocarcinoma of the testes often have poor prognosis due to the quick spread of the cancer cells which are often resistant to cancer treatments.
Seminoma
A seminoma is another germ cell cancer of the testis. Luckily, this is one of the more treatable cancers and has a survival rate of approximately 95 percent if the cancer is detected in its earliest stages. A blood or urine test is often used to detect levels of hCG.
Neuroendocrine Tumor
A neuroendocrine tumor, also know as an islet-cell tumor, is a cancer of the endocrine and nervous systems. These types of tumors have a variety of symptoms and clinical presentations. A diagnosis is often made using an endoscopy, a sonogram, a MRI or a CT-scan.
HCG Injections
Due to its similarity to luteinizing hormone, or LH, hCG can be used as a treatment for infertility. In males, hCG injections are used to stimulate the Leydig cells to produce testosterone. Since testosterone is a requirement for the process of sperm production, injections of hCG may help increase a male's fertility.
References
- "Drugs"; Alpha-Fetoprotein and Beta-Human Chorionic Gonadotropin: Their Clinical Significance as Tumour Markers; J.J. Gregory and J.L. Finlay; April 1999
- "Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology"; New Discoveries on the Biology and Detection Human Chorionic Gonadotropin; L.A. Cole; July 2009
