[Choriocarcinoma causing a pulmonary embolus]

Abstract

A 32 year-old women experienced dyspnea and thoracic pain that persisted with variable intensity over a course of eight months until acute worsening necessitated admission. A CT scan demonstrated a central pulmonary embolus. Subsequent surgical embolectomy produced a grained substance that was histologically compatible with a choriocarcinoma. Trophoblast tumors are rare, but unspecific symptoms from lungs, liver, kidney or brain warrant control of S-hCG in women, even when pregnancy has not been recognized or menopause has been reached.