Choriocarcinoma can develop some months or even years after pregnancy and can be difficult to diagnose, because it is so unexpected. They can grow quickly and might cause symptoms within a short period of time. They can spread to other parts of the body but are very likely to be cured by chemotherapy treatment.
What type of cancer is choriocarcinoma?
Choriocarcinoma is a fast-growing cancer that occurs in a woman’s uterus (womb). The abnormal cells start in the tissue that would normally become the placenta. This is the organ that develops during pregnancy to feed the fetus. Choriocarcinoma is a type of gestational trophoblastic disease.
Can Stage 4 choriocarcinoma be cured?
Fortunately, most women who are found to have choriocarcinoma can be cured; treatment with a combination of chemotherapy agents such as etoposide, methotrexate, actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide and vincristine (EMA-CO) is found to be very effective at achieving remission.
Is choriocarcinoma genetic?
The genetic contributions to the choriocarcinoma were determined by comparing the genotypes of the choriocarcinoma and that of the couples. Results: Four of twelve cases had only a maternal contribution, indicating a non-gestational origin.
How is choriocarcinoma spread?
What Causes It? Choriocarcinoma forms when cells that were part of the placenta in a normal pregnancy become cancerous. It can happen after a miscarriage, abortion, ectopic pregnancy, or molar pregnancy — when an egg is fertilized, but the placenta develops into a mass of cysts instead of a fetus.
How do you get choriocarcinoma?
Choriocarcinoma forms when cells that were part of the placenta in a normal pregnancy become cancerous. It can happen after a miscarriage, abortion, ectopic pregnancy, or molar pregnancy — when an egg is fertilized, but the placenta develops into a mass of cysts instead of a fetus.
