Choriocarcinoma Overview
Learn About Choriocarcinoma
Choriocarcinoma is a fast-growing cancer that occurs in a woman's uterus (womb). The abnormal cells start in the tissue that would normally become the placenta. The placenta is the organ that develops during pregnancy to feed the fetus.
Choriocarcinoma is a type of gestational trophoblastic disease.
Chorioblastoma; Trophoblastic tumor; Chorioepithelioma; Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia; Cancer - choriocarcinoma
Choriocarcinoma is a rare cancer that occurs as an abnormal pregnancy. A baby may or may not develop in this type of pregnancy.
The cancer may also occur shortly after a normal pregnancy. But it most often occurs with a complete hydatidiform mole. This is a growth that forms inside the womb at the beginning of a pregnancy. The abnormal tissue from the mole can continue to grow even after attempted removal, and can become cancerous. About one half of all women with a choriocarcinoma had a hydatidiform mole, or molar pregnancy.
Choriocarcinomas may also occur after an early pregnancy that does not continue (miscarriage). They may also occur after an ectopic pregnancy or genital tumor.
A possible symptom is abnormal or irregular vaginal bleeding in a woman who recently had a hydatidiform mole or pregnancy.
Other symptoms may include:
- Irregular vaginal bleeding
- Pain, which may be associated with the bleeding, or due to enlargement of the ovaries that often occurs with a choriocarcinoma
After you are diagnosed, a careful history and exam will be done to make sure the cancer has not spread to other organs. Chemotherapy is the main type of treatment. It is usually effective.
Hysterectomy to remove the womb and radiation treatment are rarely needed.
Michael Seckl practices in London, United Kingdom. Mr. Seckl is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Choriocarcinoma. His top areas of expertise are Gestational Trophoblastic Disease, Choriocarcinoma, Hydatidiform Mole, Hysterectomy, and Orchiectomy.
Sakhr Alshwayyat practices in Amman, Jordan. Alshwayyat is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Choriocarcinoma. Their top areas of expertise are Choriocarcinoma, Persistent Mullerian Duct Syndrome, Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, Papillary Thyroid Cancer, and Thyroidectomy.
Tala Alshwayyat practices in Irbid, Jordan. Ms. Alshwayyat is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Choriocarcinoma. Her top areas of expertise are Choriocarcinoma, Ogilvie Syndrome, Teratoma of the Mediastinum, Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, and Thyroidectomy.
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Most women whose cancer has not spread can be cured and will still be able to have children. A choriocarcinoma may come back within a few months to 3 years after treatment.
The condition is harder to cure if the cancer has spread and one or more of the following happens:
- Disease spreads to the liver or brain
- Pregnancy hormone (HCG) level is higher than 40,000 mIU/mL when treatment begins
- Cancer returns after having chemotherapy
- Symptoms or pregnancy occurred for more than 4 months before treatment began
- Choriocarcinoma occurred after a pregnancy that resulted in the birth of a child
Many women (about 70%) who have a poor outlook at first go into remission (a disease-free state).
Contact your health care provider if you develop symptoms within 1 year after a hydatidiform mole or pregnancy.
Summary: This phase II trial studies the best approach to combine chemotherapy and radiation therapy (RT) based on the patient's response to induction chemotherapy in patients with non-germinomatous germ cell tumors (NGGCT) that have not spread to other parts of the brain or body (localized). This study has 2 goals: 1) optimizing radiation for patients who respond well to induction chemotherapy to diminish...
Summary: A Non-Therapeutic Study that aims to establish a cohort of GCT survivors to understand short term and long-term adverse effects of treatment and to conduct molecular analyses to improve risk stratification.
Published Date: April 16, 2024
Published By: John D. Jacobson, MD, Professor Emeritus, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
National Cancer Institute website. Gestational trophoblastic disease treatment (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/gestational-trophoblastic/hp/gtd-treatment-pdq. Updated October 20, 2022. Accessed April 22, 2024.
Salani R, Bixel K, Copeland LJ. Malignant diseases and pregnancy. In: Landon MB, Galan HL, Jauniaux ERM, et al, eds. Gabbe's Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 55.