Primary mediastinal choriocarcinoma presenting as cutaneous metastasis with resistance to chemotherapy: case report and literature review

J Cutan Pathol. 2021 Jan;48(1):81-85. doi: 10.1111/cup.13777. Epub 2020 Jun 29.

Abstract

Cutaneous metastases of choriocarcinoma are rare. They may indicate poor prognosis and resistance to chemotherapy. In this report, we present a case of a 25-year-old man who presented with central pleuritic chest pain and right upper arm mass for about a week. The patient also had significant weight loss during the last 5 months along with an episode of generalized seizure. Chest computed tomography scan revealed an 8 cm anterior mediastinal mass. A skin punch biopsy from the right upper arm mass revealed a malignant neoplasm with morphology consistent with metastatic choriocarcinoma. Further work-up revealed multiple lung and brain lesions. Ultrasound of the testes revealed no abnormalities. Several chemotherapy regimens were tried; however, there was no response and the disease showed progression. The patient died 6 months after initial presentation.

Keywords: chemotherapy; choriocarcinoma; cutaneous; mediastinum; metastasis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Choriocarcinoma, Non-gestational / secondary*
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / secondary*