The challenging management of lung choriocarcinoma

J Thorac Dis. 2014 Oct;6(10):E220-2. doi: 10.3978/j.issn.2072-1439.2014.09.18.

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the existence and the management of lung choriocarcinoma (CCA), a rare category of lung tumors. We present a 42-year-old female that presented to our department with a PET positive lesion in the left upper lobe and a history of pregnancy 6 months prior to onset of symptoms. CT guided biopsy was inconclusive for diagnosis and the patient underwent a left thoracotomy and lingula sparing upper lobectomy. Histology revealed CCA of the lung and subsequently blood results confirmed the elevated b-HCG. CCA of the lung is a clinical entity that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lung lesions in women after pregnancy.

Keywords: Choriocarcinoma (CCA); lung metastases; pregnancy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports