Abstract
β-Human chorionic gonadotropin (βhCG) assays are routinely used to test for pregnancy. However, βhCG may be elevated in conditions other than pregnancy. We describe a case of metastatic lung adenocarcinoma presenting with a pathologic femur fracture and a false-positive urine pregnancy test. Lung cancer is the most common nongestational malignancy that produces βhCG among reproductive-age women. Emergency physicians should consider this rare cause of a positive pregnancy test result in women who deny recent sexual intercourse, especially if the patient is older than 40 years, has a history of tobacco use, or presents with respiratory complaints.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 378-380 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Annals of emergency medicine |
Volume | 60 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 2012 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Emergency Medicine