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Metastatic gestational choriocarcinoma: a masquerader in obstetrics

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Abstract

We describe a case of a 36-year-old woman presenting with vaginal bleeding and suboptimally rising serum human chorionic gonadotropin levels, who was investigated for a pregnancy of unknown location. Ultrasonography, laparoscopy and dilatation and curettage failed to reveal signs of an intra-uterine or intra-abdominal pregnancy. Following computed tomography imaging, a mediastinal mass was histologically determined to be a gestational choriocarcinoma. Following surgical resection and chemotherapy, the patient recovered and proceeded to have a successful intra-uterine pregnancy. We describe this exceptionally rare case and emphasise the importance of follow-up of hCG levels in pregnancy of unknown location.

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Correspondence to C. M. McCarthy.

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McCarthy, C.M., Unterscheider, J., Burke, C. et al. Metastatic gestational choriocarcinoma: a masquerader in obstetrics. Ir J Med Sci 187, 127–129 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-017-1636-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-017-1636-6

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