Choriocarcinoma: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

What are the symptoms of choriocarcinoma?

Choriocarcinoma is a rare but aggressive form of cancer that occurs in the cells that would normally develop into the placenta during pregnancy. It most often occurs as a type of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD), which is a group of rare tumors that involve abnormal growth of cells inside a woman’s uterus. Symptoms of choriocarcinoma can include:

1. Abnormal vaginal bleeding, which can occur after a normal pregnancy, miscarriage, abortion, or ectopic pregnancy
2. Passage of grape-like cysts or tissue through the vagina
3. Pelvic or abdominal pain or discomfort
4. Enlarged uterus or abdomen
5. Symptoms related to metastasis (spread) of the cancer, which can include:

• Shortness of breath
• Coughing up blood
• Chest pain
• Neurological symptoms (if the cancer has spread to the brain)
• Symptoms related to liver involvement, such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) or abdominal swelling

It’s important to note that many of these symptoms can also be caused by conditions other than choriocarcinoma. However, if you experience any of these symptoms, especially if you have recently been pregnant, it’s important to see a healthcare provider for evaluation and diagnosis. Early detection and treatment of choriocarcinoma can improve outcomes.

What are the causes of choriocarcinoma?

Choriocarcinoma is a type of cancer that develops from trophoblastic cells, which are cells that would normally develop into the placenta during pregnancy. The exact cause of choriocarcinoma is not fully understood, but it is thought to occur when there are abnormalities in the trophoblastic cells.

Choriocarcinoma most often occurs following a molar pregnancy, which is a rare condition in which a non-viable fertilized egg implants in the uterus and forms an abnormal growth. In some cases, choriocarcinoma can also occur after a normal pregnancy, miscarriage, abortion, or ectopic pregnancy.

Risk factors for choriocarcinoma include:

1. Previous molar pregnancy: Women who have had a molar pregnancy are at increased risk of developing choriocarcinoma.
2. Age: Choriocarcinoma is more common in women of reproductive age, particularly women younger than 20 and older than 35.
3. Ethnicity: Choriocarcinoma is more common in women of Southeast Asian descent.
4. Oral contraceptive use: Some studies suggest that long-term use of oral contraceptives may be a risk factor for choriocarcinoma, although the evidence is not conclusive.

It’s important to note that choriocarcinoma is a rare cancer, and most women with risk factors do not develop the disease. If you have concerns about your risk of choriocarcinoma, it’s important to discuss them with your healthcare provider.