Gestational Choriocarcinoma With Inferior Vena Cava Tumor Thrombus Formation.
Qiong Yang, Ziyan Liang, Zhenhua Ming et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A 52-year-old woman presented with recurrent nausea and vomiting, leading to the discovery of elevated serum β-hCG levels and a pelvic mass extending into the inferior vena cava (IVC). Biopsy confirmed gestational choriocarcinoma. The patient also had pulmonary hypertension and emboli. Following EMA-CO chemotherapy, she achieved complete remission with no recurrence at one-year follow-up.
What made this case unusual
The presence of an inferior vena cava tumor thrombus in conjunction with gestational choriocarcinoma is exceedingly rare and presents significant diagnostic challenges.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Clinicians should consider gestational choriocarcinoma in women with a history of pregnancy presenting with unexplained systemic symptoms, especially when elevated β-hCG levels are noted.
Why it matters
This case emphasizes the need for awareness of non-classical metastases in choriocarcinoma, which can complicate diagnosis and management.