Clinical Characteristics and Treatment of Gestational Trophoblastic Tumor with Vaginal Metastasis

Abstract

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical manifestations, management options, and prognosis for women presenting with gestational trophoblastic tumors with vaginal metastasis.Method. Fifty-one patients with vaginal metastases were analyzed retrospectively between January 1985 and September 2000. Vaginal metastasis were documented by physical examination and tissue biopsy.Results. The incidence of vaginal mtastasis in choriocarcinoma and invasive mole was 8.6 and 4.1%, respectively. The metastatic tumors were mostly located in the anterior wall of the lower part of vagina. Eighteen patients presented with hemorrhage and rupture. All patients were treated with 5-Fu combined chemotherapy. Vaginal packing was employed to stop bleeding in 16 patients. Three of them received selective angiographic embolization. Vaginal tumors disappeared after chemotherapy. Forty-four patients with complete remission were followed up periodically without evidence of recurrence.Conclusions. Large or multiple vaginal metastases place the patients at high risk for significant hemorrhage. 5-Fu combined chemotherapy is still a reliable method for treating vaginal metastases. Angiographic embolization is emerging as a successful procedure to control the severe hemorrhage of vaginal tumors.