A 26-year-old woman develops haemoptysis one month after evacuation of a hydatidiform mole. Chest radiograph shows multiple cannonball metastases and her serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin exceeds 200,000 mIU/mL. This tumour marker is characteristically secreted by:

• A Granulosa cells of the adult granulosa cell tumour
• B Yolk sac tumour cells
• C Syncytiotrophoblast of choriocarcinoma ✓
• D Luteinised theca cells of a thecoma

Explanation

Choriocarcinoma recapitulates the malignant trophoblast and secretes very large quantities of beta-hCG from its syncytiotrophoblastic component; rising levels after molar evacuation signal persistent gestational trophoblastic disease. Option B is the classic trap: yolk sac tumours produce alpha-fetoprotein, not beta-hCG. Granulosa cell tumours produce inhibin and oestrogens, and thecomas are hormonally inert markers-wise, so neither fits the extreme beta-hCG elevation seen here.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.