An atypical presentation of metastatic gestational choriocarcinoma with maxillary sinus and subcutaneous involvement; report of a case with literature review.

Abstract

Extragonadal germ cell tumors are rare neoplasms with histologic features comparable to those of gonadal origin. In this case report we present a 21-year-old female patient with an atypical localization of metastatic gestational choriocarcinoma. She was admitted to our hospital with recurrent epistaxis, abnormal vaginal bleeding, rectal bleeding, subcutaneous nodules on both thighs and forearms and left maxillary mass with intranasal cavity invasion. Laboratory analysis revealed significant elevation in serum beta-human chorionic gonodotropin (beta-HCG) level. Abdominal computerized tomography (CT) revealed left renal and retroperitoneal masses and thoracic CT displayed multiple bilateral lung metastases. Histopathological evaluation of the biopsy specimen obtained from the maxillary sinus showed choriocarcinoma. Based on WHO criteria she was classified as high-risk metastatic choriocarcinoma and treated with combination chemotherapy. We believe that in young women with recurrent epistaxis, gross abnormal vaginal and rectal bleeding and atypical maxillary sinus tumor with multiple lung metastases, choriocarcinoma should be included in the differential diagnosis and previous history of pregnancy or abortion should be obtained.

• Authors: S Alici, S E Bavbek, Y Eralp, A Argon, M Basaran, A Aydiner, S Tuzlali, E Topuz, H Onat
• Journal: Journal of B.U.ON. : official journal of the Balkan Union of Oncology (J BUON) 2002 Oct-Dec Vol. 7 Issue 4 Pg. 373-6 ISSN: 1107-0625 [Print] Cyprus
• PMID: 17955583 (Publication Type: Journal Article)