Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.  2015 Dec;48(6):435-438. 10.5090/kjtcs.2015.48.6.435.

Bullae-Forming Pulmonary Metastasis from Choriocarcinoma Presenting as Pneumothorax

• Hyun K
• Jeon HW
• Kim KS
• Choi KB
• Park JK
• Park HJ
• Wang YP

• KMID: 2382306
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.2015.48.6.435

Abstract

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is a condition of uncertain etiology, choriocarcioma, or placental-site hydatidiform moles, invasive moles, choriocarcinoma, and placental-site trophoblastic tumors. It arises from the abnormal proliferation of trophoblastic tissue and spreads beyond the uterus hematogenously. The early diagnosis of GTD is important to ensure timely and successful management and the preservation of fertility. We report the unusual case of a metastatic choriocarcinoma that formed bullae on the lung surface and presented as recurrent pneumothorax in a 38-year-old woman with elevated beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels. She underwent thoracoscopic wedge resection of the involved lung and four subsequent cycles of consolidation chemotherapy. No other evidence of metastatic disease or recurrent pneumothorax was noted during 22 months of follow-up. GTD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of spontaneous pneumothorax in reproductive-age women with an antecedent pregnancy and abnormal beta-hCG levels.

Keyword

Pneumothorax; Choriocarcinoma; Lung metastasis; Chemotherapy

MeSH Terms

Adult
Choriocarcinoma*
Chorionic Gonadotropin
Consolidation Chemotherapy
Diagnosis, Differential
Drug Therapy
Early Diagnosis
Female
Fertility
Follow-Up Studies
Gestational Trophoblastic Disease
Humans
Hydatidiform Mole, Invasive
Lung
Neoplasm Metastasis*
Pneumothorax*
Pregnancy
Trophoblastic Tumor, Placental Site
Trophoblasts
Uterus
Chorionic Gonadotropin