Open AccessBladder cancer metastasis producing beta‐human chorionic gonadotropin, squamous cell carcinoma antigen, granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor, and parathyroid hormone‐related protein
Author(s) -
Hoshi Senji,
Numahata Kenji,
Morozumi Kento,
Katumata Yuuki,
Kuromoto Akito,
Takai Yuuki,
Hoshi Kiyotugu,
Bilim Vladimir,
Sasagawa Isoji
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
iju case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2577-171X
DOI - 10.1002/iju5.12036
Subject(s) - parathyroid hormone related protein , medicine , human chorionic gonadotropin , cancer , granulocyte colony stimulating factor , parathyroid hormone , bladder cancer , metastasis , pathology , cancer research , oncology , hormone , chemotherapy , calcium
In urothelial cancer, several paraneoplastic syndromes can be triggered by the aberrant expression of hormones, growth factors or lymphokines by tumor cells. Case presentation A 71‐year‐old female patient underwent radical cystectomy for muscle‐invasive urothelial cancer. Shortly after the operation, the patient presented with a leukemoid reaction and hypercalcemia. Computed tomography scans revealed a rapidly progressing tumor on the left pelvic side, and serum levels of granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor, parathyroid hormone‐related protein, and beta human chorionic gonadotropin were elevated. The patient also tested positive for serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen. Hypercalcemia was successfully treated with denosumab. However, the patient's leukocyte counts steadily increased, her condition deteriorated and she passed away. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of urothelial cancer that tested positive for four tumor markers. The findings support the idea that poorly differentiated bladder carcinomas can ectopically secrete multiple proteins causing pleiotropic paraneoplastic syndromes.