Gestational choriocarcinoma
Alerts and Notices
Synopsis
Approximately 25% of initial identifications will be associated with a molar pregnancy. It is more common after having a complete, versus partial, mole. About 50% of cases will follow full-term pregnancies. Risk factors include increased age at time of pregnancy and history of a prior molar pregnancy. Incidence is approximately 1 in 40 000 pregnancies in North America and Europe.
Most cases are identified by an abnormally trending beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin (bhCG) curve following evacuation of a molar pregnancy or by the patient having abnormal postpartum bleeding. In some cases, pathologic evaluation of evacuated molar pregnancy tissue or postdelivery placenta will identify choriocarcinoma.
Codes
ICD10CM:C58 – Malignant neoplasm of placenta
SNOMEDCT:
417570003 – Gestational choriocarcinoma
Look For
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- New pregnancy following recent surgical evacuation of a molar pregnancy
- Other forms of GTN
- False positive bhCG (due to certain antibodies reacting with the blood test – if concern for this, check urine hCG level, as the antibodies do not affect urine samples)
Best Tests
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Management Pearls
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Therapy
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References
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Last Reviewed:12/18/2019
Last Updated:12/18/2019
Last Updated:12/18/2019