Gestational choriocarcinoma of the cervix

Abstract

Choriocarcinoma is the most aggressive, malignant form of gestational trophoblastic disease and has varying incidence, increasing in patients older than 40 years. It usually develops after a malignant alteration in a molar pregnancy, but rarely after an abortion or normal or ectopic pregnancies. The most common localization is the uterus, but it can also be found rarely in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, vagina, vulva, cervix or pelvic region. A 38-year-old multiparous woman, with no complications in three previous labors and four miscarriages, presented to her gynecologist one year after the last miscarriage complaining of abnormal vaginal bleeding. Clinical examinations showed normal ultrasound and histopathology findings. Blood analysis demonstrated moderate anemia and low elevated serum b-human chorionic gonadotropin. Due to profuse hemorrhage and anemia after the curettage, the medical council decided that a total hysterectomy should be performed. Macroscopic examination of the post-operative material showed regular morphology of the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. However, a whitish brown lesion with a maximum diameter of 22 mm was noted in a longitudinal section of the cervix. Using standard histopathology and immunohistochemical analysis, a cervical gestational choriocarcinoma was diagnosed. Knowledge of the characteristics of the choriocarcinoma is very important for accurate diagnosis and treatment, especially when the tumor is localized on the rare locations and where a high level of serum b-human chorionic gonadotropin is absent.