Abstract
Gestational choriocarcinoma in a postmenopausal woman. A case report and literature review
Highlights
The trophoblast is a unique tissue, with special morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics related to its various metabolic, endocrine and angiogenetic functions
Infiltration and metastasis are the main criteria for the diagnosis of a malignant tumor, but these criteria cannot be applied in the case of trophoblast, as they are normal features of this tissue, whose role is to infiltrate the endometrium, the underlying myometrium and parent vessels [1,2]
Based on histological findings of the hysterectomy and both ovarectomy salpihngectomy, timing of the antecedent pregnancy, elective abortion and HCG titer, in order to contribute to the scientific experience and further understand gestational choriocarcinoma, we reviewed the medical record of a 51 year-old woman with gestational choriocarcinoma developing 27 years after her last pregnancy, 30 years after her last abortion and 3 years after her last menstrual period
Summary
The trophoblast is a unique tissue, with special morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics related to its various metabolic, endocrine and angiogenetic functions. From a differential point of view, the trophoblastic tumor of the placental maternal site must be distinguished from choriocarcinoma, and from the nodules or placental maternal site plaques that are pseudo-neoplastic benign processes that produce large amounts of hCG and cause uterine bleeding [17,18,19,20] These lesions are characterized by the presence of foci of intermediate trophoblastic cells inside island areas of hyaline-like material, necrotic debris of decidua [17,18,19,20]. Endometrial curettage consisted of blood clots, fibrinoid necrotic material, large amount of chorionic villi with hydropic degeneration and trophoblastic proliferation, along with atypical syncytiotrophoblasts, intermediate trophoblasts and cytotrophoblasts All these features raised the possibility of complete molar pregnancy and even choriocarcinoma could not be ruled out. Monotherapy of methotrexate has been administered to protect the patient's health and reduce the risk of disease relapse
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
