title: Choriocarcinoma following term pregnancy--a case report.
abstract: A patient, with two previous term deliveries, presented with post-partum haemorrhage and spontaneous uterine perforation due to choriocarcinoma, requiring emergency laparotomy. Choriocarcinoma following term pregnancy is a rare form of gestational trophoblastic disease. Such tumour appears to follow a more aggressive course with a more extensive metastatic spread and is less responsive to chemotherapy resulting in a poorer prognosis. Choriocarcinoma presenting as postpartum haemorrhage, and spontaneous tumour perforation with intra-abdominal haemorrhage is even rarer. Early diagnosis is an important factor for the patient's survival. A high index of suspicion is required as the tumour may be overlooked. An aggressive chemotherapeutic regime has improved the overall survival.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Kandang Kerbau Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wee
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lim-Tan
mesh_terms: D002822:Choriocarcinoma / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006473:Postpartum Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D014595:Uterine Perforation / Q000209:etiology*; D014597:Uterine Rupture / Q000209:etiology*