Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Gestational choriocarcinoma
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Gestational choriocarcinoma is a malignant trophoblastic tumour arising from any gestational event during pregnancy in the reproductive female. Women with gestational choriocarcinoma may present with abnormal vaginal bleeding, persistent markedly elevated βhCG, or a history of prior pregnancy. Most patients develop gestational choriocarcinoma shortly after gestational anomalies, but pathology may occur after a long latency of years.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Grossly, a red hemorrhagic mass is seen in the uterus, though it may vary in size. Often, diagnosis is presumptive, and based on clinical findings and the identification of a malignant trophoblast.
Outcome
Outcome
At the time of diagnosis, more than 90% of patients already have lung metastases, though there are also less frequent metastases to the brain and liver. With chemotherapy, there is an 80% 5-year survival rate. Ultimately, death is related to liver and brain metastases.