Journal of Chest Surgery

The Korean Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (대한심장혈관흉부외과학회)
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Bullae-Forming Pulmonary Metastasis from Choriocarcinoma Presenting as Pneumothorax

  • Hyun, Kwanyong (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine) ;
  • Jeon, Hyeon Woo (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine) ;
  • Kim, Kyung Soo (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine) ;
  • Choi, Kook Bin (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine) ;
  • Park, Jae Kil (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine) ;
  • Park, Hyung Joo (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine) ;
  • Wang, Young Pil (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine)
  • Received : 2014.11.07
  • Accepted : 2014.11.21
  • Published : 2015.12.05
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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.

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References

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  1. Gestational Trophoblastic Disease: Clinical and Imaging Features vol.37, pp.2, 2015, https://doi.org/10.1148/rg.2017160140