Choriocarcinoma is an uncommon form of malignancy. It typically starts from cells left in the body post-pregnancy. Most cases of choriocarcinoma can be successfully treated and cured.
Individuals with this disorder usually have a positive outlook, meaning they are likely to recover. However, there can sometimes be complications, so it is important to get proper medical care.
What is it?
Choriocarcinoma is an uncommon type of cancer that usually begins in the uterus. Most cases are classified as gestational choriocarcinoma, which is part of a broader group of conditions known as gestational trophoblastic diseases.
Gestational trophoblastic diseases are tumors that start from unusual cells in the womb. These can develop after a gestation period, an abortion, or a miscarriage. In some cases, they may even develop years post-pregnancy. It originates from trophoblastic cells, which are cells that normally form the placenta during the gestation period. These cells assist the embryo stick to the womb and placenta creation takes place.
In the U.S., approximately 1 in every 40,000 individuals with pregnancy will get choriocarcinoma. These tumors associated with this cancer grow rapidly and can be transmitted by the bloodstream to other areas, like the lungs, brain, liver, bowel, and kidneys.
Although rare, choriocarcinoma can also occur in males, typically developing in the testicles. This form is known as nongestational choriocarcinoma and is an uncommon kind of germ-cell cancer. There are over 0.8 cases of this tumor for 100,000 men each year.
Causes
Choriocarcinoma can affect anyone with a uterus and typically starts within the uterus It is possible to get this cancer even if you have had a normal pregnancy and deliver birth to a child. There is a light risk of getting choriocarcinoma if you are currently pregnant, or recently pregnant, abortion, experienced a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, or genital tumor.
Symptoms
Gestational choriocarcinoma can present several symptoms. These may include vaginal bleeding, infections that lead to vaginal discharge, fever, and pelvic cramps as well as swelling over the stomach.
These tumors can transmit to other areas, most commonly the lungs. Symptoms that the cancer has spread to the lungs include a dry cough, blood while coughing, chest pain, and difficulty breathing.
As stated by the ACS, this condition does not cause noticeable symptoms. But the healthcare providers might doubt choriocarcinoma if an individual has a positive pregnancy exam although no fetus is visible on an ultrasound scan.
Diagnosis
To diagnose choriocarcinoma, healthcare providers start with a physical test and ask about the individual’s medical history, including any past or current pregnancies.
The next step involves taking urine or blood samples, which are sent to a lab to test to a hormone known as hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). Trophoblastic cells produce hCG, although it is typically found only in pregnant individuals. Pregnancy tests find this hormone. If hCG is present in someone’s urine or blood but they are not pregnant, it could indicate choriocarcinoma.
Healthcare providers may also perform imaging tests like X-rays, ultrasounds, or MRI to look for tumors inside the body and check if the cancer has transmission.
If there is a suspicion that the tumor extends, healthcare providers might take a sample of spinal fluid using a procedure called a spinal tap. This helps them determine if the cancer has reached the central nervous system.
Treatment
Healthcare providers usually medicate this choriocarcinoma by the chemotherapy. Chemotherapy works by killing the cancer cells or preventing the cancer cells from developing.
Sometimes, a person might require over one kind of chemotherapy to effectively combat the cancer.
If the cancer cells have extended to other parts of the body, additional treatments may be necessary. These can include radiation therapy, which uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells, and surgery to remove tumors.
In most episodes, surgeons can eliminate the cancer cells and any unusual tissue. For older women who do not plan to have kids, healthcare providers might suggest a hysterectomy. This surgery eliminates the uterus, which can help prevent the cancer from coming back.
Outlook
Chemotherapy treatment for choriocarcinoma is typically very efficient, with living rates nearing 100 percent.
After treatment, individuals who have choriocarcinoma will typically be required to have blood examinations for 1 to 2 years. During this period, it is important to avoid pregnancy. The FWC (Foundation for Women’s Cancer) advises that conceiving within one year of finishing chemotherapy can heighten the chance of loss of pregnancy and make it harder to detect a recurring tumor.
In many episodes, chemotherapy doesn’t cause long-term issues. But the individuals who undergo over than one kind of chemotherapy might face an earlier onset of menopause.
Despite these potential risks, most individuals will be capable of having a healthy, normal pregnancy post-treatment.
Summary
Choriocarcinoma is an uncommon cancer that typically begins in the womb and can develop even after a healthy pregnancy. It is treated mainly with chemotherapy, which is usually very effective, with survival rates approaching 100%. After treatment, patients need blood examinations for 1 to 2 years and should avoid pregnancy during this time. Although chemotherapy generally doesn’t cause long-term issues, it can lead to early menopause and a slightly increased risk of other cancers later. Most individuals will still be able to have a normal, healthy pregnancy after treatment. Risk factors include current or recent pregnancy, abortion, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, or genital tumors.
