Abstract
BackgroundWe report the case of a patient with treated Stage Ia seminoma who was found to have an elevated beta human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) on routine follow – up. This instigated restaging and could have lead to commencement of chemotherapy.Case presentationThe patient was a bodybuilder, and following a negative metastatic work – up, admitted to injecting exogenous beta hCG. This was done to reduce withdrawal symptoms from androgen abuse. The patient remains well eight years post diagnosis.ConclusionThis case highlights the need for surgical oncologists to conduct vigilant screening of young male patients with a history of testicular germ cell tumours and who may indulge in steroid abuse.
Highlights
We report the case of a patient with treated Stage Ia seminoma who was found to have an elevated beta human chorionic gonadotrophin on routine follow – up
This case highlights the need for surgical oncologists to conduct vigilant screening of young male patients with a history of testicular germ cell tumours and who may indulge in steroid abuse
After a negative metastatic work – up, the patient proceeded to a left inguinal orchidectomy
Summary
Testicular cancer accounts for 1% of all male cancers [1], and while the incidence has doubled in the last twenty years, the overall 5 – year survival is in the order of 99%. Among urologists and radiation oncologists, the follow – up of patients with testicular malignancies requires meticulous screening for distant metastases and careful surveillance with tumour marker measurement These include alpha – foetoprotein (AFP) and beta human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), used to supplement clinical and radiologic evaluation. After a negative metastatic work – up, the patient proceeded to a left inguinal orchidectomy This was followed by prophylactic para – aortic nodal irradiation to a total dose of 25 Gray (Gy) in 17 fractions. The patient admitted to self – administering intramuscular Nandrolone, an anabolic steroid for the previous one year He had recently discontinued them and was taking hCG to minimise the side effects associated with their withdrawal. He is well with no evidence of disease three years later
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
