The encouraging prognosis of nongestational ovarian choriocarcinoma with lung metastases.

OBJECTIVE

To study nongestational ovarian choriocarcinoma (NGOC) with lung metastases: its early diagnosis, optimal therapeutic method, and prognosis.

STUDY DESIGN

Twelve cases of NGOC with lung metastases treated in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 1982-2011 were analyzed retrospectively. The 12 cases included 9 pure NGOCs and 3 mixed with other germ cell tumors (mature teratoma, endodermal sinus tumor and embryonal carcinoma components, and dysgerminoma, respectively). Chemotherapy was given in all 12 cases, mainly including EMA/CO, BEP, and

RESULTS

The median age for the cases was 23.9 years. Abdominal pain was the most common symptom (7/12). Follow-up was available for 11 cases, ranging from 17-174 months (median, 86.6 months). Of those, only 1 patient died of the disease, at 42 months from the disease onset. The other patient for whom follow-up was not available gave up treatment due to chemoresistance and disease progression. An overall sustained remission had been achieved in 10 cases (83.3%).

CONCLUSION

Surgery combined with the appropriate chemotherapy regimen can improve therapeutic efficacy and survival in the treatment of NGOC with lung metastasis, even in recurrent or chemorefractory cases. Commencement of EMA/CO chemotherapy, which seems to be associated with better prognosis, should be considered as a good choice of treatment. Conservative surgery is acceptable for young patients desiring to preserve fertility.