Choriocarcinoma (patient information): Difference between revisions
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{{Choriocarcinoma (patient information)}} | {{Choriocarcinoma (patient information)}} | ||
'''Editor-in-Chief:''' [[C. Michael Gibson]], M.S.,M.D. [mailto: | '''Editor-in-Chief:''' [[C. Michael Gibson]], M.S.,M.D. [mailto:charlesmichaelgibson@gmail.com] Phone:617-632-7753; '''Associate Editor-In-Chief:''' [[Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan]], M.B.B.S. | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Choriocarcinoma is a '''quick-growing form of cancer that occurs in a woman's uterus''' (womb). The abnormal cells start in the tissue that would normally become the placenta, the organ that develops during pregnancy to feed the fetus. | [[Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia|Choriocarcinoma]] is a '''quick-growing form of [[cancer]] that occurs in a woman's [[uterus]]''' (womb). The abnormal cells start in the [[Tissue (biology)|tissue]] that would normally become the [[placenta]], the organ that develops during [[pregnancy]] to feed the [[fetus]]. [[Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia|Choriocarcinoma]] is a type of [[gestational trophoblastic disease]]. | ||
Choriocarcinoma is a type of [[gestational trophoblastic disease]]. | |||
==What are the symptoms of Choriocarcinoma?== | ==What are the symptoms of Choriocarcinoma?== | ||
*A possible symptom is '''continued [[vaginal bleeding]]''' in a woman with a recent history of [[Hydatidiform mole (patient information)|hydatidiform mole]], [[Miscarriage (patient information)|abortion]], or pregnancy. | *A possible [[symptom]] is '''continued [[vaginal bleeding]]''' in a woman with a recent history of [[Hydatidiform mole (patient information)|hydatidiform mole]], [[Miscarriage (patient information)|abortion]], or [[pregnancy]]. | ||
* | *Additional [[symptoms]] may include: | ||
:*Irregular vaginal bleeding | :*Irregular [[vaginal bleeding]] | ||
:*[[Ovarian cysts]] | :*[[Ovarian cysts]] | ||
:*Uneven swelling of the uterus | :*Uneven swelling of the [[uterus]] | ||
:*Pain | :*[[Pain]] | ||
==What causes Choriocarcinoma?== | ==What causes Choriocarcinoma?== | ||
*Choriocarcinoma is an uncommon, but very often curable cancer associated with pregnancy. | *[[Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia|Choriocarcinoma]] is an uncommon, but very often curable [[cancer]] associated with [[pregnancy]]. | ||
*A baby may or may not develop in these types of pregnancy. | *A baby may or may not develop in these types of [[pregnancy]]. | ||
*The cancer may develop after a normal pregnancy; however, it is most often associated with a [[Hydatidiform mole (patient information)|complete hydatidiform mole]]. | *The [[cancer]] may develop after a normal [[pregnancy]]; however, it is most often associated with a [[Hydatidiform mole (patient information)|complete hydatidiform mole]]. | ||
*The abnormal tissue from the mole can continue to grow even after it is removed and can turn into cancer. | *The abnormal [[tissue]] from the mole can continue to grow even after it is removed and can turn into [[cancer]]. | ||
*About half of all women with a choriocarcinoma had a [[Hydatidiform mole (patient information)|hydatidiform mole]], or molar pregnancy. | *About half of all women with a [[Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia|choriocarcinoma]] had a [[Hydatidiform mole (patient information)|hydatidiform mole]], or [[molar pregnancy]]. | ||
*Choriocarcinomas may also occur after an [[Miscarriage (patient information)|abortion]], [[Ectopic pregnancy (patient information)|ectopic pregnancy]], or genital tumor. | *Choriocarcinomas may also occur after an [[Miscarriage (patient information)|abortion]], [[Ectopic pregnancy (patient information)|ectopic pregnancy]], or genital [[tumor]]. | ||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms arise | Call for an appointment with your health care provider if [[symptoms]] arise within 1 year after [[Hydatidiform mole (patient information)|hydatidiform mole]], [[abortion]] (including [[Miscarriage (patient information)|miscarriage]]), or term [[pregnancy]]. | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
*A pregnancy test will be positive even when you are not pregnant. Pregnancy hormone ([[HCG]]) levels will be persistently high. | *A [[pregnancy]] test will be positive even when you are not [[pregnant]]. [[Pregnancy]] [[hormone]] (also known as [[human chorionic gonadotropin]] or [[HCG]]) levels will be persistently high. | ||
*A pelvic examination may reveal continued uterine swelling or a tumor. | *A [[pelvic]] examination may reveal continued [[uterine]] swelling or a [[tumor]]. | ||
* | *Blood tests that may be done include: | ||
:*[[HCG|Quantitative serum HCG]] | :*[[HCG|Quantitative serum HCG]] | ||
:*[[Complete blood count]] | :*[[Complete blood count]] | ||
:*Kidney function tests | :*[[Kidney function|Kidney function tests]] ([[Blood urea nitrogen]], [[creatinine]]) | ||
:*[[Liver function tests]] | :*[[Liver function tests]] | ||
* | *Imaging tests that may be done include: | ||
:*[[CT|CT scan]] | :*[[CT|CT scan]] | ||
:*[[MRI]] | :*[[MRI]] | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
*After an initial diagnosis, a careful history and examination are done to make sure the cancer has not spread to other organs. | *After an initial [[diagnosis]], a careful history and examination are done to make sure the [[cancer]] has not spread to other organs. | ||
* | *[[Chemotherapy]] is the main type of treatment. | ||
*A [[hysterectomy]] and [[radiation therapy]] are rarely needed. | *A [[hysterectomy]] and [[radiation therapy]] are rarely needed. | ||
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==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ||
*Most women whose cancer has not spread can be cured and will maintain reproductive function. | *Most women whose [[cancer]] has not spread can be cured and will maintain reproductive function. | ||
*The condition is harder to cure if the cancer has spread and one of more of the following events occur: | *The condition is harder to cure if the [[cancer]] has spread and one of more of the following events occur: | ||
:*Disease has spread to the liver or brain | :*Disease has spread to the [[liver]] or [[brain]] | ||
:*Pregnancy hormone ([[HCG]]) level is greater than 40,000 mIU/mL at the time treatment begins | :*[[Pregnancy]] [[hormone]] ([[HCG]]) level is greater than 40,000 mIU/mL at the time treatment begins | ||
:*Cancer returns after having [[chemotherapy]] in the past | :*[[Cancer]] returns after having [[chemotherapy]] in the past | ||
:*Symptoms or pregnancy occurred for more than 4 months before treatment began | :*[[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 | :*[[Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia|Choriocarcinoma]] occurred after a [[pregnancy]] that resulted in the birth of a child | ||
*Many women (about 70%) who initially have a poor outlook go into remission (a disease-free state). | *Many women (about 70%) who initially have a poor outlook go into remission (a disease-free state). | ||
==Possible complications== | ==Possible complications== | ||
*A choriocarcinoma may come back after treatment, usually within several months but possibly as late as 3 years. | *A [[Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia|choriocarcinoma]] may come back after treatment, usually within several months but possibly as late as 3 years. | ||
*Complications associated with [[chemotherapy]] can also occur. | *Complications associated with [[chemotherapy]] can also occur. | ||
==Prevention== | ==Prevention== | ||
Careful monitoring after the removal of [[Hydatidiform mole (patient information)|hydatidiform mole]] or termination of pregnancy can lead to early diagnosis of a choriocarcinoma, which improves outcome. | Careful monitoring after the removal of [[Hydatidiform mole (patient information)|hydatidiform mole]] or termination of [[pregnancy]] can lead to early diagnosis of a [[Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia|choriocarcinoma]], which improves outcome. | ||
==Source== | ==Source== | ||
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[[Category:Gynecology]] | [[Category:Gynecology]] | ||
[[Category:Gynecology patient information]] | [[Category:Gynecology patient information]] | ||
[[Category:Oncology patient information]] | [[Category:Oncology patient information]] | ||
[[Category:Obstetrics]] | [[Category:Obstetrics]] | ||
[[Category:Obstetrics patient information]] | [[Category:Obstetrics patient information]] | ||
[[Category:Up-To-Date]] | |||
[[Category:Oncology]] | |||
[[Category:Medicine]] | |||
[[Category:Gynecology]] | |||
[[Category:Surgery]] | |||
Latest revision as of 19:30, 12 March 2019
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
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Choriocarcinoma |
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Choriocarcinoma On the Web |
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Editor-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S.,M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan, M.B.B.S.
Overview
Choriocarcinoma is a quick-growing form of cancer that occurs in a woman's uterus (womb). The abnormal cells start in the tissue that would normally become the placenta, the organ that develops during pregnancy to feed the fetus. Choriocarcinoma is a type of gestational trophoblastic disease.
What are the symptoms of Choriocarcinoma?
- A possible symptom is continued vaginal bleeding in a woman with a recent history of hydatidiform mole, abortion, or pregnancy.
- Additional symptoms may include:
- Irregular vaginal bleeding
- Ovarian cysts
- Uneven swelling of the uterus
- Pain
What causes Choriocarcinoma?
- Choriocarcinoma is an uncommon, but very often curable cancer associated with pregnancy.
- A baby may or may not develop in these types of pregnancy.
- The cancer may develop after a normal pregnancy; however, it is most often associated with a complete hydatidiform mole.
- The abnormal tissue from the mole can continue to grow even after it is removed and can turn into cancer.
- About half of all women with a choriocarcinoma had a hydatidiform mole, or molar pregnancy.
- Choriocarcinomas may also occur after an abortion, ectopic pregnancy, or genital tumor.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms arise within 1 year after hydatidiform mole, abortion (including miscarriage), or term pregnancy.
Diagnosis
- A pregnancy test will be positive even when you are not pregnant. Pregnancy hormone (also known as human chorionic gonadotropin or HCG) levels will be persistently high.
- Blood tests that may be done include:
- Imaging tests that may be done include:
Treatment options
- After an initial diagnosis, a careful history and examination are done to make sure the cancer has not spread to other organs.
- Chemotherapy is the main type of treatment.
- A hysterectomy and radiation therapy are rarely needed.
Where to find medical care for Choriocarcinoma?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Choriocarcinoma
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
- Most women whose cancer has not spread can be cured and will maintain reproductive function.
- The condition is harder to cure if the cancer has spread and one of more of the following events occur:
- Disease has spread to the liver or brain
- Pregnancy hormone (HCG) level is greater than 40,000 mIU/mL at the time treatment begins
- Cancer returns after having chemotherapy in the past
- 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 initially have a poor outlook go into remission (a disease-free state).
Possible complications
- A choriocarcinoma may come back after treatment, usually within several months but possibly as late as 3 years.
- Complications associated with chemotherapy can also occur.
Prevention
Careful monitoring after the removal of hydatidiform mole or termination of pregnancy can lead to early diagnosis of a choriocarcinoma, which improves outcome.