Pulmonary Resection in the Management of High-Risk Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of pulmonary resection in the management of high-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN).

Patients who underwent pulmonary resection as part of their treatment for chemotherapy-resistant high-risk GTN from 1986 and 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients had received 1 or more multiagent chemotherapy regimens preoperatively. Patient and disease characteristics were evaluated with respect to outcome.

Fifteen (26%) of 58 patients treated for high-risk GTN underwent pulmonary resection with curative intent. Mean age of patients was 29 years (range, 19-37 years). International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage was III in 12 and IV in 3. International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics scores ranged from 5 to 20 (mean, 10). Antecedent pregnancy was nonmolar in 11 patients (73%). Adjuvant surgical procedures other than pulmonary resection were performed in 8 patients (53%). Preoperative chemotherapy regimens ranged from 1 to 10 (median, 4) and courses numbered from 2 to 32 (median, 14). Preoperative human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels ranged from 2 to 2786 mIU/mL (median, 177 mIU/mL). Pulmonary wedge resections or lobectomies were performed via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (11) or thoracotomy (4). Two patients underwent pulmonary resections on 2 separate occasions. No patient had complications as a result of these procedures. Eleven patients (73%) were cured. In these 11 patients, hCG levels decreased to less than 2 mIU/mL within 6 to 52 days (mean, 22 days) postoperatively.

Pulmonary resection of chemotherapy-resistant GTN was an important component of treatment in 26% of high-risk patients, 73% of whom were cured. Ideal candidates have disease isolated to the lungs and low hCG levels.