Choriocarcinoma (patient information)

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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.

• 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

• 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.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms arise within 1 year after hydatidiform mole, abortion (including miscarriage), or term pregnancy.

• 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.

• A pelvic examination may reveal continued uterine swelling or a tumor.

• Blood tests that may be done include:

• Quantitative serum HCG
• Complete blood count
• Kidney function tests (Blood urea nitrogen, creatinine)
• Liver function tests

• Imaging tests that may be done include:

• CT scan
• MRI

• 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.

Directions to Hospitals Treating Choriocarcinoma

• 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).

• 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.

Careful monitoring after the removal of hydatidiform mole or termination of pregnancy can lead to early diagnosis of a choriocarcinoma, which improves outcome.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001496.htm

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