Gestational choriocarcinoma arising in a tubal ectopic pregnancy: case report

OBJECTIVES: Gestational choriocarcinoma associated with ectopic pregnancy is an extremely rare event. Here we report one of these cases. CASE: A 38-year-old, gravida 4, parity 3, patient was admitted to the emergency room with the complaint of abdominal pain. Peritoneal irritation signs were present and serum hCG level was found to be greater than 15000 mUI/ml. Transvaginal ultrasound images were compatible with ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy. Hemoperitoneum and ruptured tuba were found at laparatomy and a right salpingectomy was performed. The histopathological evaluation reported the lesion as primary tubal choriocarcinoma. The patient was referred to a tertiary care center for treatment and follow-up. CONCLUSION: Adequate monitoring of beta-hCG titers and careful examinations of pathologic specimens are important to avoid misdiagnosis of ectopic gestational trophoblastic disease.