Choriocarcinoma of the mediastinum

Epidemiology

Pure mediastinal choriocarcinoma is rare and occurs only in adults.

Clinical features

Some patients present with gynaecomastia.

Radiology

Macroscopic appearances

There is usually marked haemorrhage and necrosis.

Histopathology

Choriocarcinoma shows a mix of syncytiotrophoblast, cytotrophoblast and intermediate trophoblastic cells.

Immunohistochemistry

Differential diagnosis

• Metastatic gonadal choriocarcinoma: the primary may have regressed.

Prognosis

Choriocarcinoma metastasizes aggressively. Average surival is only one to two months.

References

0 Tumours of the Lung, Pleura, Thymus and Heart. WHO Classification of Tumours. IARC Press 2004.

This page last revised 20.1.2006.

©SMUHT/PW Bishop