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Choriocarcinoma in a postmenopausal woman
Bradley Chittenden1, Eliyaz Ahamed, Abha Maheshwari
1From the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen; Department of Medical Oncology, Charing Cross Hospital, London; and Assisted Reproduction Unit, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Maternity Hospital, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.
Background:
Choriocarcinoma typically occurs within 12 months of pregnancy but rarely may present many years after an antecedent pregnancy. This report describes choriocarcinoma in a postmenopausal woman.
Case:
A 62-year-old woman presented with dyspnea, a history of postmenopausal vaginal spotting, and metastatic disease on chest X-ray. A transvaginal ultrasonogram revealed a thickened endometrium. Endometrial biopsy and an elevated beta-hCG confirmed the diagnosis of metastatic choriocarcinoma. Multiagent chemotherapy was initiated, and the patient developed fatal toxic epidermal necrolysis.
Conclusion:
This case reminds practitioners that choriocarcinoma can occur in postmenopausal women, and although cure rates are high, deaths occasionally occur because of toxicity associated with treatment.
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