Gestational choriocarcinoma: Rare spinal metastasis during a viable pregnancy

Gestational choriocarcinoma metastasizing to the bones, especially to the spine, is extremely rare. In addition, there are few reports of choriocarcinoma during a viable pregnancy. We report a case of gestational choriocarcinoma that metastasized to the lumbar spine during a viable pregnancy in a 41-year-old woman with a history of a missed abortion. A heterogeneous cervical mass was detected at gestational week 16. Subsequently, a metastatic lesion appeared during the pregnancy, and fetal demise in utero occurred. Pathological examination revealed that the cervical tumor and metastatic spinal tumor were choriocarcinoma. The patient's condition deteriorated rapidly and we were unable to save her life, despite multidrug chemotherapy. Surgical tumor resection and pregnancy might involve a substantial risk of choriocarcinoma metastasis. It is important to obtain an early diagnosis for this life-threatening disease in order to facilitate appropriate treatment, despite pregnancy.