Refractory pediatric nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma associated with ectopic production of beta hCG and hypercalcemia induced by PTHrP

A 3‐month‐old male with a mass on the right side of his back was admitted to our hospital. The tumor was a pathologically high‐grade nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma (NRSTS). Treatment included subtotal tumor resection followed by chemotherapy. Elevation of serum beta hCG and hypercalcemia with detection of PTHrP was associated with tumor progression. The tumor was refractory to multiagent chemotherapy, and the patient died of the disease at 22 months of age. This case is novel in demonstrating a beta hCG secreting refractory NRSTS. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011; 57: 1244–1246. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.