Chemoresistant placental site trophoblastic tumor with hilar lymph node metastasis: an unusual site of involvement

Abstract

Background: Placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT) is an uncommon variant of gestational trophoblastic diseases. In most cases, disease is confined to the uterus and treated with a simple hysterectomy. However, 30% of these patients will present with metastatic disease. Patients with metastases frequently have progression of disease and die despite aggressive multiagent chemotherapy.

Case: We present a case of 33-year-old female with PSTT and metastases to the hilar lymph nodes of the right lung. Primary surgical treatment consisting of abdominal hysterectomy and unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was followed by six cycles of EMA/CO (etoposide, methotrexate, actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide, and vincristine) chemotherapy. After the completion of chemotherapy, betahCG titers stayed within normal range, but a repeated CT scan of chest revealed enlargement of the hilar lymph nodes. The patient underwent right thoracotomy with hilar lymph nodes resection. The resected nodules were pathologically consistent with primary PSTT.

Conclusion: In this case report, we have determined a PSTT with hilar region metastasis other than parenchyma of lung and confirmed the chemoresistant nature of tumor with the guidance of the previous reports.