Etymed
choriocarcinoma
Definition
A malignant tumor arising from trophoblastic tissue, characterized by the presence of chorionic villi and trophoblastic cells
Clinical context
A 28-year-old woman presents with vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain 2 months after a hydatidiform mole evacuation. Physical examination reveals a uterus larger than expected for gestational age. Laboratory studies show elevated beta-hCG levels. Imaging demonstrates a uterine mass with hemorrhage. Histopathological examination of the surgical specimen reveals trophoblastic cells and chorionic villi with marked cellular atypia.
Mnemonic
Think 'chorio' for pregnancy tissue and 'carcinoma' for cancer - choriocarcinoma is a malignant tumor of placental trophoblast tissue