Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin-positive extragonadal germ cell neoplasia of the renal pelvis.

A 56-year-old woman showed renal obstruction on the right side. Further examinations revealed a tumor of the renal pelvis. Nephroureterectomy on the right side was done. This extragonadal germ cell neoplasia had an immunohistochemically detected beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) expression. There were no other primary tumors or metastases. Although there were normal values after the operation, during the postoperative follow-up, the serum beta-hCG temporarily reached 2400 IU/l and then dropped to normal without detection of metastases. No further therapy was given. The patient was alive and well 1 year and 10 months after surgery. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first extragonadal germ cell neoplasia of the renal pelvis with secretion of beta-hCG to the serum.