Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Choriocarcinomais a type of cancerous tumor that originates in the uterus. Duringfertilization, when a sperm fertilizes an egg, the tumor forms from abnormal cells found in the tissues that make up the uterine wall. In a healthypregnancy, the cells and tissues in the uterus would eventually become theplacenta, an organ that provides nutrients to an unborn fetus.
This article will cover the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of choriocarcinoma.
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Types of Choriocarcinoma
Choriocarcinoma is classified as a gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD).GTD includes several tumors that occur at the beginning of pregnancy.
GTD consists of two categories:
Choriocarcinomas are rare and fast-growing tumors that can occur even after miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy (when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus).
Choriocarcinoma Symptoms
Different symptoms during pregnancy may have a link to choriocarcinoma. Some of the most common ones include:
Some of the associated symptoms of choriocarcinoma can be normal variations of pregnancy. It is important to get regular prenatal care and contact your obstetrician, midwife, or other healthcare provider to discuss concerning symptoms or if something seems abnormal.
Choriocarcinoma is a tumor linked to the conception of a fetus. It can originate after an abortion, miscarriage, or a healthy full-term pregnancy.
There are no known ways to prevent choriocarcinoma. However, there are risk factors that can make a pregnant person more susceptible to developing a choriocarcinoma, including:
Prevalence of ChoriocarcinomaChoriocarcinoma occurs in about one in 20,000–40,000 pregnancies in the United States.They can develop anytime between five weeks and 15 years after conception or even after menopause.
Prevalence of Choriocarcinoma
Choriocarcinoma occurs in about one in 20,000–40,000 pregnancies in the United States.They can develop anytime between five weeks and 15 years after conception or even after menopause.
In addition to a complete medical history and physical exam, physicians will use the following tests and procedures todiagnose choriocarcinoma:
The treatment plan may vary depending on the individual’s current state of health and how far along the cancer is at diagnosis.
Other factors include the size of the tumor, the person’s age at the time of diagnosis, and if the cancer is contained to one area of the body or has begun to spread.
Various treatments can include:
Early detection of choriocarcinoma makes for the best prognosis. Regular preventive care and prenatal screenings can help your healthcare provider with early detection of any abnormalities.
Those who are diagnosed with choriocarcinoma have an 87.5% chance of achieving remission.Many will be able to successfully conceive after a full recovery from treatment. However, in some people, choriocarcinoma may return within a few months to three years of treatment.
Potential complications that may impact the prognosis include:
A Word From Verywell
Planning for the birth of a child is a joyous occasion for many. However, it can be stressful and overwhelming when complications arise. If you are diagnosed with choriocarcinoma, your healthcare provider and oncologist willdevelop the right treatment plan for you. Shared decision-making with your providers can help lessen some of the helplessness that you may feel.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ngan HYS, Seckl MJ, Berkowitz RS, et al.Update on the diagnosis and management of gestational trophoblastic disease.Int J Gynecol Obstet. 2018;143:79-85. doi:10.1002/ijgo.12615Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gestational trophoblastic disease.MedlinePlus.Hydatidiform mole.MedlinePlus.Choriocarcinoma.Mangla M, Singla D, Kaur H, Sharma S.Unusual clinical presentations of choriocarcinoma: A systematic review of case reports.Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2017;56(1):1-8. doi:10.1016/j.tjog.2015.05.011Ning F, Hou H, Morse AN, Lash GE.Understanding and management of gestational trophoblastic disease.F1000Res. 2019;8:428. doi:10.12688/f1000research.14953.1
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ngan HYS, Seckl MJ, Berkowitz RS, et al.Update on the diagnosis and management of gestational trophoblastic disease.Int J Gynecol Obstet. 2018;143:79-85. doi:10.1002/ijgo.12615Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gestational trophoblastic disease.MedlinePlus.Hydatidiform mole.MedlinePlus.Choriocarcinoma.Mangla M, Singla D, Kaur H, Sharma S.Unusual clinical presentations of choriocarcinoma: A systematic review of case reports.Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2017;56(1):1-8. doi:10.1016/j.tjog.2015.05.011Ning F, Hou H, Morse AN, Lash GE.Understanding and management of gestational trophoblastic disease.F1000Res. 2019;8:428. doi:10.12688/f1000research.14953.1
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Ngan HYS, Seckl MJ, Berkowitz RS, et al.Update on the diagnosis and management of gestational trophoblastic disease.Int J Gynecol Obstet. 2018;143:79-85. doi:10.1002/ijgo.12615Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gestational trophoblastic disease.MedlinePlus.Hydatidiform mole.MedlinePlus.Choriocarcinoma.Mangla M, Singla D, Kaur H, Sharma S.Unusual clinical presentations of choriocarcinoma: A systematic review of case reports.Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2017;56(1):1-8. doi:10.1016/j.tjog.2015.05.011Ning F, Hou H, Morse AN, Lash GE.Understanding and management of gestational trophoblastic disease.F1000Res. 2019;8:428. doi:10.12688/f1000research.14953.1
Ngan HYS, Seckl MJ, Berkowitz RS, et al.Update on the diagnosis and management of gestational trophoblastic disease.Int J Gynecol Obstet. 2018;143:79-85. doi:10.1002/ijgo.12615
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gestational trophoblastic disease.
MedlinePlus.Hydatidiform mole.
MedlinePlus.Choriocarcinoma.
Mangla M, Singla D, Kaur H, Sharma S.Unusual clinical presentations of choriocarcinoma: A systematic review of case reports.Taiwanese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2017;56(1):1-8. doi:10.1016/j.tjog.2015.05.011
Ning F, Hou H, Morse AN, Lash GE.Understanding and management of gestational trophoblastic disease.F1000Res. 2019;8:428. doi:10.12688/f1000research.14953.1
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