False-positive pregnancy test secondary to ectopic expression of human chorionic gonadotropin by a gastrointestinal stromal tumor.

ABSTRACT

Tumors can rarely overexpress human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) resulting in false-positive pregnancy tests. Here, we report a 44-year-old female with a metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) who presented with a positive urine pregnancy test before radiotherapy. Further workup ruled out pregnancy. Following radiotherapy, her metastatic disease progressed and her hCG level continued to rise. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a GIST tumor overexpressing hCG.