Angiographic findings of choriocarcinoma

Kim, D H; Shinn, K S; Bahk, Y W

Abstract

Choriocarcinoma is not uncommon in most of the Asian countries. Because of its early dissemination to remoteorgans such as lung, the early detection of the disease is very important. There are many clinical tests todiagnose choriocarcinoma but each test has relative drawback nd limitations. Recently pelvic angiography isactively explored in detecting this disease and, in addition, in evaluating the effects of chemotherapy. Thepresent communication describes out own experience of the angiographic findings of 4 cases including 2 cases withpostchemotherapy follow-ups. In all 4 cases, we found X-ray findings typical to choriocarcinoma. Among others,intratumoral AV shunts and consequent premature venous filling, tumor staining with central avascularity andregional arterial hypertrophy were impressive. Postchemotherapy angiograms revealed rather dramatic regression ofthe vascular changes with one exception of relative persistence of AV shunts and premature venous filling. In CaseIV, AV shunts remained to be seen until 7 months after the completion of the third cycle of chemotherapy. In thiscase, urine HCG turned to be negative already at the termination of the second cycle.