FDG PET/CT Findings of Primary Pulmonary Choriocarcinoma in a Postmenopausal Woman.

ABSTRACT: Choriocarcinomas usually occur in the genital tracts of reproductive-age women after a gestational event. Primary pulmonary choriocarcinoma is very rare. We describe FDG PET/CT findings of primary pulmonary choriocarcinoma with multiple intrapulmonary metastases in a postmenopausal woman with elevated serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin level. On FDG PET/CT, the large primary lung tumor showed intense FDG uptake (SUV max , 46), and the small intrapulmonary metastases showed variable FDG uptake (SUV max , 27). Primary pulmonary choriocarcinoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of FDG-avid pulmonary lesions with elevated serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin levels, including metastatic choriocarcinoma and lung cancer.

Primary Pancreatic Choriocarcinoma With Hepatic Metastases on 18 F-FDG PET/CT.

ABSTRACT: Pancreatic choriocarcinoma is a rare disease, and concurrent hepatic metastases have not previously been reported. We report a case of a 46-year-old woman with significantly elevated human chorionic gonadotropin ß levels, and 18 F-FDG PET/CT demonstrated FDG-avid lesions in the pancreatic head, liver, and lymph nodes. The initial diagnosis of pancreatic choriocarcinoma with metastases was made and further confirmed by PET/CT-guided biopsy. 125 I seeds were then implanted to treat the pancreatic choriocarcinoma lesions, which effectively reduced the tumor size. New hepatic metastases have been observed after 5 months, and this case had an overall survival of 10 months.

Primary gastric choriocarcinoma: a rare and aggressive gastrointestinal malignancy.

A 40-year-old male with no previous medical history presented to emergency department with a 2-week history of progressive dyspnea. He also described night sweats and weight loss (15 kg) during the last 3 months. Thoraco-abdominal computed tomography showed multiple bilateral lung nodules associated with supra-clavicular, hilar and peri-esophageal lymphadenopathies and gastric parietal thickening. These imaging features were suggestive of primary gastric cancer with lung and lymph node metastases. Therefore, he undergone upper digestive endoscopy that showed a large ulcerated protruding lesion at the greater curvature of the body suggestive of malignancy. Gastric biopsies of the lesion confirmed a solid neoplasia constituted by solid nests and sheets of highly pleomorphic, bizarre cells with cytotrophoblastic and syncytiotrophoblastic differentiation that, on immunohistochemistry, stained positive for ß-HCG, SALL-4 and glypican-3. CT-guided biopsy of lung nodules revealed malignant cells with similar histopathological and immunohistochemical features. Elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein and ß-HCG were also detected. Clinical and ultrasound examination were negative for testicular masses. These findings were consistent with a primary gastric choriocarcinoma presenting with lung and lymph node metastases (stage IV). Although chemotherapy was started, the patient evolved unfavorably and died after 9 months. Primary gastric choriocarcinoma is a rare and aggressive gastrointestinal malignancy. This case demonstrates its rapid growth rate and high metastatic potential that may lead to symptoms from secondary involvement of distant organs.

Metastatic testicular choriocarcinoma presenting as eyelid swelling and ptosis.

A 34-year-old man presented with an 8-day history of swelling and ptosis affecting the right upper eyelid. An MRI scan showed right superior rectus enlargement. Histology of an incisional biopsy of the muscle demonstrated metastatic choriocarcinoma to the orbit, positive for pan-cytokeratins, beta-HCG and GATA3. Possible primary sites included testis. An ultrasound of the testes identified bilateral testicular masses, highly suspicious for primary testicular malignancy. A CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis identified disseminated metastatic disease conferring a poor prognostic germ cell tumour. The overall interpretation was of disseminated testicular choriocarcinoma and the patient is currently undergoing intensive chemotherapy.

Choriocarcinoma Presenting as Recurrent Intracranial Hemorrhage in an Adolescent Patient.

BACKGROUND: Due to its highly metastatic and invasive nature, choriocarcinoma may affect other organ systems and mimic conditions not typical of gynecologic cancers. Recurrent intracranial hemorrhage secondary to rupture of multiple oncotic aneurysms is one of its rare initial presentations. CASE: We report a 2-month postpartum, 16-year old girl who initially presented with sudden-onset left-sided weakness. Her plain cranial computed tomography scan showed a 16-mL hematoma in the right parietal area, and her 4-vessel angiogram (4VA) disclosed 4 saccular aneurysms in bilateral distal middle cerebral arteries (MCA). The ß-human chorionic gonadotrophin (ß-hCG) done 2 weeks later was 356,684.5 mIU, and her transvaginal ultrasound showed an ill-defined heterogenous myometrial mass measuring 1.6 × 1.3 × 1.2 cm. Due to the multiplicity of aneurysms and the patient's young age, surgical excision and brain irradiation were deferred. Nonetheless, she received chemotherapy with a regimen of etoposide, methotrexate, actinomycin-D, cyclophosphamide, and vincristine/oncovin. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: Early consideration of oncotic aneurysm secondary to choriocarcinoma in a postpartum presenting with multiple intracranial hemorrhages may lead to earlier administration of proper chemotherapy and, in turn, to a better prognosis. Age and the number of aneurysms should be considered in choosing the appropriate therapy.

Primary nasal-ethmoid choriocarcinoma detected by 18F-FDG PET/CT: a rare tumor with complete remission.

Choriocarcinoma is a highly malignant and rare tumor characterized by secretion of the beta-subunit-of-humanchoriogonadotropin (ß-HCG). We report a case of primary nasal choriocarcinoma with good response to chemotherapy. A 36-years-old woman gravida 0 and with history of 4 spontaneous abortion, in December 2018 referred to Otorhinolaryngology Department for repeated episodes of epistaxis. Cervical Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) revealed a tumor mass involving right nasal cavity, right ethmoid, sphenoidal and maxillary sinuses. For a differential diagnosis between metastatic gestational choriocarcinoma and primary choriocarcinoma in January 2019 she underwent 18Fluorine-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT) scan that demonstrated intense uptake only in the nasal-ethmoid tumor mass showed by MRI. This was suggestive of primary nasal-ethmoid choriocarcinoma she received 3 courses of BEP - regimen and after ß-HCG was reduced to 500 mIU/mL and 18F-FDG-PET/CT scan showed a decreased uptake in tumor mass but the appearance of a new uptake in cervical lymph node which was analysed and reported as metastatic localization of choriocarcinoma. Therefore she was treated with 2 cycles of TIP-regimen. Subsequents 18F-FDG-PET/CT and MRI showed a complete tumor remission. This case proved the fundamental role of PET/CT to make diagnosis of primitive choriocarcinoma and to exclude the hypothesis of distant metastasis.

Primary gastric choriocarcinoma.

Choriocarcinomas are epitelial tumors with a rapidly growing rate and widely metastatic tumor of trophoblastic cells. Incidence have been reported 1 in 24,096 pregnant patients. Most cases arise in the uterus following gestational events. It can also be gonadal or extragonadal. primary gastric choriocarcinoma is rare, represents 0.08% of all gastric cancers. Clinical presentation is very similar to adenocarcinomas but they can present seric ß-GCH elevation. The main objective is present three cases of primary gastric choriocarcinoma with an initial miss diagnosis of adenocarcimoa.

Genetically Related Choriocarcinoma Developing 5 Yr After a Complete Hydatidiform Mole and Simulating a Cornual Ectopic Pregnancy.

Persistent gestational trophoblastic disease can arise from any type of antecedent pregnancy, including molar and tubal pregnancies. While most cases of persistent gestational trophoblastic disease present within the first year following initial diagnosis, recurrence has rarely been reported many years after initial diagnosis. Distinguishing recurrence from a new independent lesion is clinically important. A 25-yr-old woman presented with a mass in the right uterine cornu that was discontiguous with the endometrial cavity and was associated with an elevated serum human chorionic gonadotropin level. She had a history of an invasive complete hydatidiform mole with lung involvement treated with chemotherapy 5 yr prior. Wedge resection of the right cornu was performed due to concern for a cornual ectopic pregnancy. Pathologic evaluation demonstrated a choriocarcinoma. Molecular genotyping confirmed the tumor as recurrent disease genetically related to the prior complete hydatidiform mole. She completed 4 cycles of EMA-CO therapy, and has been disease-free with undetectable serum human chorionic gonadotropin level for 2 yr.

Unusual Imaging Findings Associated with Germ Cell Tumors.

Germ cell tumors, because they contain immature and mature elements, can differentiate into different tissue types. They can exhibit unusual imaging features or manifest in a syndromic fashion. The authors describe these features and assign them to one of the following categories: (a) unusual manifestations of metastatic disease (growing teratoma syndrome, choriocarcinoma syndrome, ossified metastases, and gliomatosis peritonei); (b) autoimmune manifestations (sarcoidlike reaction and paraneoplastic syndromes); (c) endocrine syndromes (sex hormone production, struma ovarii, and struma carcinoid); or (d) miscellaneous conditions (ruptured dermoid cyst, squamous cell carcinoma arising from a mature teratoma, Currarino triad, fetus in fetu, pseudo-Meigs syndrome, and pancreatitis). Rare conditions associated with germ cell tumors demonstrate characteristic imaging findings that can help lead to the appropriate diagnosis and management recommendations. When evaluating for potential metastatic disease, alternative benign diagnoses should be considered (eg, growing teratoma syndrome, ossified metastases, ruptured dermoid cyst, gliomatosis peritonei, and sarcoidlike reaction), which may impact management. Germ cell tumors may also lead to life-threatening complications such as extensive hemorrhage from choriocarcinoma metastases or the rupture of mature teratomas, cases in which timely diagnosis is crucial. Autoimmune and endocrine manifestations such as paraneoplastic encephalitis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and hyperthyroidism may occur owing to the presence of germ cell tumors and can create a diagnostic dilemma for clinicians. Knowledge of the syndromic and unusual imaging findings associated with germ cell tumors helps guide appropriate management. ©RSNA, 2019.

Successful management of a patient with radiological presentation of choriocarcinoma syndrome before induction chemotherapy.

Choriocarcinoma syndrome is a life-threatening lysis syndrome caused by blood vessel rupture and subsequent tumor bleeding. We describe a case of pretreatment choriocarcinoma syndrome that developed in a 27-year-old man. He underwent a high orchiectomy at a local hospital and was diagnosed with metastatic testicular tumor given the high serum human chorionic gonadotropin levels (943,601 mIU/mL). Thus, he was referred to our institution. Although he had bulky lung metastases and alveolar bleeding, we were able to administer full-dose chemotherapy with etoposide and cisplatin. On day 3 of chemotherapy, he presented with severe hypoxia and worsening of alveolar bleeding. Thus, he underwent tracheal intubation at the Intensive Care Unit. Full-dose chemotherapy was continued, and the patient was extubated upon improvement. He is currently alive and continuing treatment at another hospital.

Retroperitoneal choriocarcinoma diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy.

A 25-year-old man, with a retroperitoneal bulky mass invading the posterior pancreas head, was referred to investigate and treat his rapidly advancing disease. An endoscopic ultrasonography guided-fine needle aspiration biopsy (EUS-FNAB), performed the next day, and followed by immunostaining for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), led to a histological diagnosis of choriocarcinoma. An elevated level of serum hCG also supported the diagnosis. Systemic chemotherapy by etoposide and cisplatin was initiated within a week, with precautions taken to avoid tumour lysis syndrome and choriocarcinoma syndrome. EUS-FNAB enabled a prompt diagnosis and suitable treatment for choriocarcinoma and was considered as an effective diagnostic tool for rare tumours with rapid progression.

Cutaneous metastases of infantile choriocarcinoma can mimic infantile hemangioma both clinically and radiographically.

Infantile metastatic choriocarcinoma is a rare tumor of placental origin that can be observed with or without maternal metastases. A single cutaneous mass may be the only clinically observed sign. Reports of imaging findings are scarce given the extreme rarity of the tumor, and the disease can be rapidly fatal in the absence of prompt diagnosis. In order to promote timely consideration for this malignancy as a differential consideration in the approach to skin lesions in infancy, we present the findings of this neoplasm in an infant. While imaging and clinical characteristics similar to infantile hemangioma were demonstrated at presentation, biopsy and further radiologic investigation revealed multifocal metastatic choriocarcinoma. This case also highlights important differences between these entities, as the T2 hyperintensity and contrast enhancement observed with this choriocarcinoma were predominantly peripheral in location.