Presentation and management of choriocarcinoma after nonmolar pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE

To ascertain the mode of presentation and treatment outcome for women with choriocarcinoma after a nonmolar pregnancy.

DESIGN

Retrospective analysis of case records between 1985 and 1994.

SETTING

A referral centre for trophoblastic disease.

SUBJECTS

One hundred women with choriocarcinoma: 62 after a live birth, six after a live birth preceded by a molar pregnancy and 32 after a nonmolar abortion.

RESULTS

Choriocarcinoma after nonmolar pregnancies represent 17% of the total gestational trophoblastic tumours requiring treatment. Vaginal bleeding was the commonest symptom in all groups, but symptoms from metastatic disease were important in the group presenting after a live birth. Metastatic disease was present in 31% of cases after live birth and 43% post-abortion. The median interval between the antecedent pregnancy and choriocarcinoma was five and six months, respectively. High risk multi-agent chemotherapy was required in 82% and 60% of cases, respectively. The mortality rate was significantly higher after a live birth than a nonmolar abortion (21% vs 6%).

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of choriocarcinoma after a live birth is associated with an unacceptably high mortality rate. Vaginal bleeding is an important early symptom and a pregnancy test should be performed if it persists after usual medical treatment.