Urothelial bladder carcinoma with choriocarcinomatous differentiation presenting with a false-positive pregnancy test

Am J Med Sci. 2013 Sep;346(3):256-8. doi: 10.1097/MAJ.0b013e318270d0f9.

Abstract

Urothelial carcinoma of the bladder with choriocarcinomatous features is a rare presentation among genitourinary cancers. In this study, the case of a 42-year-old woman who presented with menstrual irregularity and positive urine and serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin tests is presented. Pelvic ultrasound showed no intrauterine pregnancy. Laparoscopy and hysteroscopy with dilatation and curettage were negative for evidence of trophoblastic tissue. Computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis showed an intravesical fundal mass, with no evidence of extravesical disease. Cystoscopy and transurethral resection of the bladder tumor diagnosed an invasive high-grade urothelial carcinoma with trophoblastic differentiation and multiple foci of choriocarcinomatous morphology. The patient received 3 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with methotrexate, vinblastine, adriamycin and cisplatin and then underwent partial cystectomy, which was negative for any residual tumor. This is the first reported case of a positive urine pregnancy test leading to the diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma / metabolism
  • Carcinoma / pathology*
  • Carcinoma / therapy
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / blood
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / urine
  • Cisplatin / therapeutic use
  • Cystectomy
  • Doxorubicin / therapeutic use
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Pregnancy Tests
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / therapy
  • Vinblastine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human
  • Vinblastine
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cisplatin
  • Methotrexate

Supplementary concepts

  • M-VAC protocol