Post molar choriocarcinoma with solitary renal metastasis in the absence of primary uterine tumor: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Choriocarcinoma is a rare and highly malignant form of gestational trophoblastic disease that may develop following pregnancy, abortion, or a hydatiform mole. Renal metastatic involvement by post molar choriocarcinoma is even rarer. In this case report, we describe a unique case of post molar choriocarcinoma with a solitary renal metastasis in the absence of a primary uterine tumor and metastases in other sites, which presented with urological symptoms and spontaneous renal hemorrhage.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 41-year-old Persian woman with history of complete hydatiform mole presented with severe flank pain, nausea, vomiting, gross hematuria, and vaginal bleeding. Laboratory tests demonstrated a serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin hormone level of 60,000 mIU/mL. Imaging studies showed a lesion at the lower pole of the left kidney with active bleeding surrounded by hematoma, as well as an empty uterine cavity. Additionally, bilateral pleural effusion was detected without any lesion within the lungs. Subsequently, the patient underwent laparotomy, partial nephrectomy, and left para-ovarian cystectomy. Endometrial curettage was also carried out. The histopathology report revealed choriocarcinoma renal metastasis with high expression of beta human chorionic gonadotropin, cytokeratin 7, and Ki 67. Moreover, there were no malignant cells in the endometrial curettage specimens, and a corpus luteum cyst was found within the para-ovarian cyst. Further investigations revealed that the pleural effusion was free of malignant cells, and there was no evidence of metastatic lesions in the brain. As a result, the patient was referred to the oncology department to receive chemotherapy, and the beta human chorionic gonadotropin levels dropped to 5 mIU/mL after receiving courses of a standard regimen of etoposide, methotrexate, actinomycin D, cyclophosphamide, and vincristine/oncovin over 3 weeks. Finally, monthly measurements of beta human chorionic gonadotropin levels for 6 months indicated that levels have constantly remained within normal ranges, showing no evidence of recurrence or new metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Urological symptoms such as hematuria or spontaneous renal hemorrhage might be the only presentation of post molar choriocarcinoma with renal involvement. Thus, it can be beneficial to measure serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin levels among females of childbearing age who present with unexplained urological symptoms, especially if there is a history of prior hydatiform mole.

A twin pregnancy with partial hydatidiform mole and a coexisting normal fetus delivered at term: A case report and literature review

Hydatiform mole occurs in 1/1000 singleton and 1/20000-100,000 twin pregnancies. Although the pregnancy often ends in a miscarriage or presents with many obstetric complications such as preeclampsia, vaginal bleeding, hyperthyroidism, prematurity, or fetal malformations, in some cases of twin pregnancy, one of the fetuses can develop normally. Coexistence of a viable fetus in a twin molar pregnancy is more commonly described for cases of complete hydatiform moles than partial hydatiform moles. A partial hydatiform mole coexisting with a normal fetus was suspected in a 40-year-old woman, G2P1, at twelve weeks of gestation of a twin dichorionic diamniotic pregnancy. Serial antenatal ultrasound scans and serial evaluations of human chorionic gonadotropin were performed, and a healthy baby was delivered at term without any obstetric or neonatal complications. A twin pregnancy with partial hydatidiform mole and a coexisting normal fetus is a rare obstetric condition that can result, under proper management, in the delivery of a healthy baby without any sequelae for the mother or child.

[Twin pregnancy with complete hydatiform mole and coexistent fetus: Report of 4 cases and review of literature]

OBJECTIVE

Twin pregnancy with complete hydatiform mole and coexistent fetus is a rare clinical condition, occurring in 1 in 22,000 to one in 100,000 pregnancies. Continuation of pregnancy in these cases is controversial because of a high risk of immediate and long-term maternal morbidity. It allows, however, in 33 % of the case the delivery of a healthy child.

METHODS

This retrospective study included all patients presenting a complete hydatiform mole coexisting with a live twin fetus antenatally diagnosed between 2007 and 2012 in the level III maternity of the Strasbourg University Hospital. Informations concerning diagnostic circumstances, pregnancy follow-up and outcome were studied.

RESULTS

Four pregnancies were included in the study, all of them were spontaneous. Medical termination of pregnancies was related to maternal reasons in the four cases. One before 17 weeks of gestation, the three other after 2 weeks of gestation, leading to delivery of a healthy child. All patients developed a mild to severe preeclampsia. One patient developed a gestational trophoblastic disease, requiring chemotherapy by methotrexate. There was no fatal evolution.

CONCLUSION

Twin pregnancy with complete hydatifom mole and coexistent fetus is associated with increased risk of gestational trophoblastic disease. This risk is not increased by continuation of pregnancy. In case of prenatal diagnosis of complete hydatiform mole coexisting with a live twin fetus, patients should be aware of the potential high risk of morbidity and a regular follow-up during and after the pregnancy should be intaured. In absence of maternal complications, continuation of the pregnancy is possible.