Choriocarcinoma
Choriocarcinoma Characteristics and Features
This cancer, which is as well as kind of germ cell tumor, is determined to be existent when early hematogenous are found in the lungs.
Choriocarcinoma Definition
Choriocarcinoma is a kind of malignant cancer under the group of gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTD). This cancer targets the placenta, and commonly attacks women, rather than men.
Choriocarcinoma Epidemiology
Choriocarcinoma can occur on patients especially those who have undergone either of the following cases: Normal pregnancy Ectopic pregnancy Spontaneous abortion Hydatidform mole It rarely occurs for chorcarcinoma to occur in other parts of the body aside from the placenta.
Choriocarcinoma Symptoms and Signs
Symptoms of choriocarcinoma include profuse vaginal bleeding, chest pains, frequent coughing up blood, sudden increase of ?-hCG levels and when the lungs have various infiltrates of different shapes after an X-ray. Testicular neoplasm meanwhile occurs in male patients.
Choriocarcinoma Treatment
Choriocarcinoma is one of the easiest cancers to treat, as this tumor proves to be the most sensitive to chemotherapy. Almost 90 to 95% of the patients with choriocarcinoma are cured, even those with metastatic choriocarcinoma. There is a risk though, that metastatic diseases, including this kind. When a patient with choriocarcinoma undergoes chemotherapy, treatment includes the etoposide, methotrexate, actinomycin D, cyclosphosphamide and oncovin (EMACO) regimen. Female patients above the age of 40 meanwhile may have their uterus surgically removed, or what is called as hysterectomy. This treatment however, works best for those already with infection and profuse bleeding, as well as the ones who want to be sterilized.