Successful treatment of gestational choriocarcinoma in a low resource setting and literature review.

Abstract

Aim: Gestational choriocarcinoma is a rare pregnancy related malignancy that we see about once in two years in our centre. It is an interesting malignancy because, although, it is rapidly fatal, it remains one of the few malignancies that can be cured even in advanced stages. Few cases we managed in the past did not show good outcome mainly because of noncompliance on the part of the patients. This case complied adequately with treatment and was cured with modified MAC III chemotherapy regimen with resultant successful reproductive outcome thereafter. Presentation: - Our patient was a 32-year-old para3+1 A3 at presentation. She presented with two months history of intermittent vaginal bleeding which started about seven weeks after the cessation of normal vaginal lochia following normal vaginal delivery. There was associated vulva lesion and hemoptysis. She was investigated and a diagnosis of gestational choriocarcinoma was made, and she was successfully cured of the malignancy with modified MAC III Chemotherapy regimen resulting in her having another successful reproductive outcome thereafter. Conclusion: Gestational choriocarcinoma may be fatal but it can be cured if there is adequate compliance from the patient and appropriate multiple chemotherapy is used for treatment.