Choriocarcinoma syndrome: A rare presentation of testicular germ cell tumour

Germ cell tumours (GCT) are the most common malignancy in men between the ages of 15 and 35 years. Pure choriocarcinoma is a very rare entity of non-seminomatous germ cell tumour and comprises only 1% -3% of all the testicular tumours. Choriocarcinoma syndrome is a clinical condition in which haemorrhage occurs from the metastatic sites with elevated level of the Beta-Human Chorionic gonadotropin (Beta -HCG). A 15 -year-old adolescent boy presented in with left sided testicular swelling along with dark coloured cutaneous lesions of the scalp, chest and chin for the last one month. He underwent left sided orchiectomy, and the histopathology report showed Pure Choriocarcinoma. Unfortunately, he died after the beginning of chemotherapy due to alveolar haemorrhage.

Automated summary

Germ cell tumours are the most common malignancy in men aged 15 to 35. Pure choriocarcinoma, a rare entity of non-seminomatous germ cell tumour, accounts for only 1%-3% of testicular tumours. Choriocarcinoma syndrome is characterized by hemorrhage at metastatic sites and elevated Beta-HCG levels. The patient in this case, a 15-year-old boy, unfortunately died after undergoing left orchiectomy due to alveolar hemorrhage following the start of chemotherapy.