HUMAN CHORIONIC-GONADOTROPIN INDUCING HYP ERTHYROIDISM IN GASTRIC ADENOCARCINOMA

We report a case of hyperthyroidism complicating and revealing a metas tatized adenocarcinoma of the stomach with high circulating levels of human chorionic gonadotropin and its beta component. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a non-trophoblastic tumor with hyp erthyroidism and secreting quantities of these hormones. High circulat ing levels of beta component in such patients have been considered to be a sign of malignancy. The mechanisms of thyroid stimulation could b e related to the biological activity of certain forms of the human cho rionic gonadotropin.