Pure non‐gestational choriocarcinoma of the ovary diagnosed by DNA polymorphism analysis

Abstract

Pure primary ovarian choriocarcinoma is a rare condition that can be of gestational or non-gestational origin. Non-gestational choriocarcinoma has been found to be resistant to single-agent chemotherapy and has a worse prognosis than gestational choriocarcinoma, but it is difficult to distinguish the two types by routine histological examination. Herein is reported a case of primary pure non-gestational choriocarcinoma of the ovary in a 33-year-old nulligravid woman, as confirmed by DNA polymorphism analysis. All tested microsatellite markers had identical DNA profiles with the same allelic sizes between the tumor and the myometrium of the patient, who was homozygous for three markers (BAT26, BAT25 and D17S250) and heterozygous for four (D2S123, D18S57, DCC and D18S58), supporting non-gestational origin. The patient has no evidence of disease 17 months after surgery and four cycles of combination chemotherapy. This case demonstrates the usefulness of DNA polymorphism analysis for the determination of the origin of extrauterine choriocarcinoma. Clinical relevance of this method needs to be further studied and substantiated.

Primary gestational choriocarcinoma of the vagina: magnetic resonance imaging findings

“…Differentiation by DNA polymorphism analysis is useful to guide the management as non-gestational choriocarcinoma is known to have a worse prognosis and to be resistant to single-agent chemotherapy. 7 To the best of our knowledge, the imaging findings of primary extrauterine choriocarcinoma are rarely described in the literature, particularly that of vaginal origin. In the present case, MRI showed a hypointense vaginal tumour with hyperintense rim on T1-weighted images and heterogeneously hyperintense with hypointense rim on T2-weighted images.…”

Management of bilateral malignant ovarian germ cell tumors: Experience of a single institute

“…For bilateral disease, fertility-sparing surgery is not recommended (20). Postoperative chemotherapy is very important, although, compared with gestational choriocarcinoma, primary ovarian tumors are more chemoresistant (21). The BEP regimen is recommended, as primary ovarian choriocarcinoma is considered to be a germ cell tumor differentiating towards trophoblastic structures (20).…”

Choriocarcionoma in an Infantile Patient

“…Human leukocyte antigen typing for the paternal antigen of trophoblast element can be used to determine etiology of gestational choriocarcinoma [10]. DNA polymorphism analysis can be utilized to distinguish pure nongestational choriocarcinoma of the ovary from gestational choriocarcinoma [11,12]. The genetic analysis thus can be a useful modality in determining the origin of the choriocarcinoma.…”