[Gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas with a choriocarcinomatous component: 2 cases and a review of 120 cases in the literature].
Gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma with a choriocarcinomatous component (GACC) is an extremely rare and highly malignant human chorionic gonadotrophin-producing neoplasm. The development of this tumour from dedifferentiation or trans-differentiation of adenocarcinomatous cells is the most likely mechanism. 102 of the 120 cases reviewed in the literature presented enough clinicopathological information to be analysed. This tumour can be purely choriocarcinomatous or associated with an adenocarcinoma as in half of the observations. It is usually found in the stomach although it may be found throughout the digestive tract. The diagnosis of GACC should only be retained after having clearly eliminated a metastasis from a choriocarcinoma in particular in the gonads. The prognosis is very poor in particular in the gastric forms of this disease, with death observed within 12 months following diagnosis in 2/3 of the patients. There is no treatment consensus, and it is decided on a case-by-case basis.
Granier
Guillaume
G
Service d'anatomie et de cytologie pathologiques, CHU de Nîmes, place du Professeur-Robert-Debré, Nîmes Cedex 9. g.granier@tiscali.fr
Marty-Double
Christiane
C
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D002822:Choriocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009378:Neoplasms, Multiple Primary / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy