Hepatic metastases due to choriocarcinoma

A 34 year old female presented with weight loss and hepatomegaly. Liver biopsy revealed clinically unsuspected metastatic choriocarcinoma. Severe haemorrhage occurred, and the patient died following complications after laparotomy. The possibility of choriocarcinoma should be remembered in women of child-bearing age who present with liver metastases; biopsy must be avoided until this diagnosis can be excluded.