Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia natural history, complications and prognosis
Template:Choriocarcinoma Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
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).
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.