Clinical analysis of intracranial metastases in gestational choriocarcinoma: a series of 15 cases

Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 1985 Feb;25(1):16-22. doi: 10.1111/j.1479-828x.1985.tb00595.x.

Abstract

Between 1963 and 1980 we have had experience of 54 patients with gestational choriocarcinoma and 29 are alive, a survival rate of 53.7%. The disease had metastasized to the central nervous system in 15 of these 54 patients, an occurrence rate of cerebral metastases of 27.8%. 13 of these 15 patients have died and 2 are now in a state of remission. Autopsy was performed in 8 cases. The following points are emphasized: cases with the pulmonary disease risk intracranial spread; the serum/cerebrospinal fluid ratio of human chorionic gonadotropin concentrations and computerized tomography are recommended as useful investigations in the diagnosis of CNS disease; decompression surgery in patients with increased intracranial pressure is indispensable; radiotherapy is temporarily effective for brain deposits; powerful systemic chemotherapy using multiple anticancer drugs is suggested to be helpful both in preventing and in treating CNS disease.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain Neoplasms / mortality
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Brain Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Brain Neoplasms / therapy
  • Choriocarcinoma / mortality
  • Choriocarcinoma / pathology
  • Choriocarcinoma / secondary*
  • Choriocarcinoma / therapy
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin / analysis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Prognosis
  • Risk
  • Time Factors
  • Uterine Neoplasms / mortality
  • Uterine Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Uterine Neoplasms / therapy

Substances

  • Chorionic Gonadotropin