choriocarcinoma

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Choriocarcinoma is an aggressive, highly vascular tumor. When it is associated with gestation, it is often considered part of the spectrum of gestational trophoblastic disease; it is then termed gestational choriocarcinoma. When it occurs in the absence of preceding gestation, it is termed non-gestational choriocarcinoma (these occur most often in the ovary or testis).

Epidemiology

Depends on the site of origin of the tumor. In females, it may occur during or outside of pregnancy; non-gestational choriocarcinoma of the ovary typically occurs in prepubertal girls and postmenopausal women. Testicular choriocarcinomas usually present in male patients between ages 15 and 30 .

Pathology

In the classic case of gestational choriocarcinoma, the tumor is derived from chorionic epithelium.

Location

Typically arises in association with reproductive organs:

Primary occurrence outside the reproductive system has been reported but is extremely rare. Such sites include:

Trophoblastic cells have an affinity for blood vessels and therefore the tumors have a tendency to metastasize through the haematogenous route.

Choriocarcinoma is one of the causes of cannonball metastases to the lungs.

Markers

High levels of βhCG are usually seen in cases of choriocarcinoma.

Radiographic features

Imaging features of a primary tumor are dependent on location: see individual subtypes under "location" above.

Treatment and prognosis

The tumor is aggressive in its behavior and metastases are frequent, with the lungs being a common site of metastasis. Despite its aggressiveness, it is generally highly chemosensitive and carries a much better cure rate than other comparable malignancies.

Complications

A significant proportion of the complications arises from hemorrhage due to high vascularity in either a primary tumor or its metastases.

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Assoziationen und Differentialdiagnosen zu Chorionkarzinom: