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Nongestational choriocarcinoma in the postpartum period: a case report
K Suryanarayan1, K A O'Hanlan, U Surti
1Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA 94305-5119, USA.
Purpose:
To determine the tissue of origin (gestational versus nongestational) of an extensive metastatic choriocarcinoma in an 18-year-old woman to determine prognosis and treatment.
Methods:
DNA microsatellite polymorphisms after polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the tumor tissue and blood from the patient, husband, and daughter were used to determine the tissue of origin.
Results:
Molecular analyses revealed that the tumor shared the genetic features of only the patient. She responded well to multiagent chemotherapy.
Conclusions:
Molecular analysis is a useful tool to determine whether a choriocarcinoma occurring in a female patient of child-bearing age is gestational or nongestational when clinical findings are not clearly indicative of the primary.