Choriocarcinoma (patient information)
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Choriocarcinoma |
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Editor-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S.,M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan, M.B.B.S.
Overview
Choriocarcinoma is a quick-growing form of cancer that occurs in a woman's uterus (womb). The abnormal cells start in the tissue that would normally become the placenta, the organ that develops during pregnancy to feed the fetus. Choriocarcinoma is a type of gestational trophoblastic disease.
What are the symptoms of Choriocarcinoma?
- A possible symptom is continued vaginal bleeding in a woman with a recent history of hydatidiform mole, abortion, or pregnancy.
- Additional symptoms may include:
- Irregular vaginal bleeding
- Ovarian cysts
- Uneven swelling of the uterus
- Pain
What causes Choriocarcinoma?
- Choriocarcinoma is an uncommon, but very often curable cancer associated with pregnancy.
- A baby may or may not develop in these types of pregnancy.
- The cancer may develop after a normal pregnancy; however, it is most often associated with a complete hydatidiform mole.
- The abnormal tissue from the mole can continue to grow even after it is removed and can turn into cancer.
- About half of all women with a choriocarcinoma had a hydatidiform mole, or molar pregnancy.
- Choriocarcinomas may also occur after an abortion, ectopic pregnancy, or genital tumor.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms arise within 1 year after hydatidiform mole, abortion (including miscarriage), or term pregnancy.
Diagnosis
- A pregnancy test will be positive even when you are not pregnant. Pregnancy hormone (also known as human chorionic gonadotropin or HCG) levels will be persistently high.
- Blood tests that may be done include:
- Imaging tests that may be done include:
Treatment options
- After an initial diagnosis, a careful history and examination are done to make sure the cancer has not spread to other organs.
- Chemotherapy is the main type of treatment.
- A hysterectomy and radiation therapy are rarely needed.
Where to find medical care for Choriocarcinoma?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Choriocarcinoma
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
- Most women whose cancer has not spread can be cured and will maintain reproductive function.
- The condition is harder to cure if the cancer has spread and one of more of the following events occur:
- Disease has spread to the liver or brain
- Pregnancy hormone (HCG) level is greater than 40,000 mIU/mL at the time treatment begins
- Cancer returns after having chemotherapy in the past
- Symptoms or pregnancy occurred for more than 4 months before treatment began
- Choriocarcinoma occurred after a pregnancy that resulted in the birth of a child
- Many women (about 70%) who initially have a poor outlook go into remission (a disease-free state).
Possible complications
- A choriocarcinoma may come back after treatment, usually within several months but possibly as late as 3 years.
- Complications associated with chemotherapy can also occur.
Prevention
Careful monitoring after the removal of hydatidiform mole or termination of pregnancy can lead to early diagnosis of a choriocarcinoma, which improves outcome.