[Beta-HCG-producing choriocarcinoma of the pineal area as a cause of precocious puberty].

We report the case of an eight-year-old boy with precocious puberty due to a beta-HCG producing choriocarcinoma of the pineal region. beta-HCG-levels were elevated initially (9659 mU/ml) and did not normalize completely after surgical removal of the brain tumor. A relapse of the tumor in the hypothalamic region led to a new increase of beta-HCG-level up to 41258 mU/ml. Histopathology of a subsequently removed metastasis in the right lung showed immunohistological evidence of beta-HCG production. Introduction of chemotherapy was followed by a normalization of the beta-HCG-level and of the previously elevated hormone values.