Understanding Choriocarcinoma: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

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Choriocarcinoma

by Alike Medical Team ∙ Updated on June 13, 2023

Additional names

This group contains additional names: - Placental cancer

General

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. This is the organ that develops during pregnancy to feed the fetus. Choriocarcinoma is a type of gestational trophoblastic disease. Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is a broad term encompassing both benign and malignant growths arising from products of conception in the uterus. The cancer often occurs with a complete hydatidiform mole, which is an abnormal tissue formed inside the womb at the beginning of the pregnancy. It can also develop during a normal pregnancy, after delivery, or after an early pregnancy that does not continue (miscarriage).

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Signs & symptoms

A possible symptom is abnormal or irregular vaginal bleeding in a woman who recently had a hydatidiform mole or pregnancy. Other symptoms may include lower abdominal pain, which may be associated with the bleeding, or due to enlargement of the ovaries that often occurs with a choriocarcinoma. These and other signs and symptoms may be caused by choriocarcinoma or by other conditions.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and medical history, then he or she will perform a physical exam, including a pelvic exam. The following tests will be done next: - *Blood test*- for HCG (pregnancy hormone) that will be high in this case, blood count, kidney and liver function. - *Imaging test* such as *pelvic Ultrasound*, *CT scan* or *MRI*.

Treatment

*Chemotherapy* is the main type of treatment. *Hysterectomy* to remove the womb and radiation treatment are rarely needed.

Note

☝ We provide information on prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diagnosis, procedures and lab tests. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

National Institutes of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ MedlinePluse ∙ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

☝ All information has been reviewed by certified physicians from Alike

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