A Case of Ovarian Clear Cell Carcinoma Simultaneously Producing Parathyroid Hormone-related Protein and Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor

Abstract

We describe the first report of an ovarian clear cell carcinoma simultaneously producing parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). A 64-year-old woman complained of general fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and constipation. The results of blood and biochemistry tests were white blood cell count of 21,060 /ml and calcium of 18.0 mg/dl, indicating an increase in the number of leukocytes and hypercalcemia. A computerized tomography scan showed a tumor in the lower abdomen with a maximum diameter of 16 cm and containing both cystic and solid parts. There was a remarkable elevation of the tumor marker CA 19-9, to 1611 IU/ml, and serum level of PTHrP was elevated to 25.9 pmol/ml. The PTH-intact level was 14 pg/ml, which was at the lower limit of the normal range. In addition, the G-CSF level was also elevated to 73 pg/ml (normal range: <38 pg/ml). Since hypercalcemia caused by tumor PTHrP production was suspected, and as this required elimination of the primary disease, extirpation of the tumor was carried out. Serum calcium levels promptly returned to 11.1 mg/ml on the first day following surgery, and PTHrP also dropped to its normal level on the same day. Histological and immunohistochemical examinations revealed that the tumor was clear cell adenocarcinoma which was partially positive for PTHrP and positive for G-CSF, indicating the tumor simultaneously producing PTHrP and G-CSF.