CASE: A 25-year-old, G4 P4, native Afghani with a history of
irregular menses since the birth of her son 6 months ago received a physical examination that was within normal limits. Pelvic examination revealed minimal blood in the vault and slight
bleeding from a closed cervical os. The uterus was slightly enlarged, 5 weeks in size, and without any adnexal masses. Laboratory evaluation was significant for a positive urine and serum beta-HCG. Pelvic ultrasound examination revealed a 5-cm uterus with a 2-cm endometrial stripe. Chest radiograph revealed multiple bilateral ill-defined pulmonary nodules confirmed by computerized tomography. The patient underwent dilation and
curettage productive of a moderate amount of tissue. The patient continued to have positive serum beta-HCGs and was given the presumptive diagnosis of FIGO stage III gestational
choriocarcinoma. Because of the lack of intravenous chemotherapeutic agents, the patient was begun on
methotrexate 0.40 mg/kg orally on days 1-5, with 9 days off. The patient completed one course of
chemotherapy, followed by an interval total abdominal
hysterectomy with bilateral
salpingo-oophorectomy. The patient had a complete response to
therapy and was treated with oral
methotrexate for 2 courses after a negative serum beta-HCG. The patient tolerated the
chemotherapy without any complication.
CONCLUSION:
Methotrexate is routinely used in a parenteral intramuscular fashion for the treatment of gestational
choriocarcinoma. Physicians should be aware that, in very limited situations, oral
methotrexate in combination with
hysterectomy still could offer a patient successful treatment for stage III GTN.