title: Massive fetomaternal hemorrhage caused by an intraplacental choriocarcinoma: a case report.
abstract: Background. Intraplacental choriocarcinoma is a rare but highly malignant trophoblastic neoplasm. When found near term the risk of maternal metastasis is high because of the late diagnosis. Case. We describe a case of an intraplacental choriocarcinoma diagnosed postpartum after a near-term delivery of a severely anemic infant. A fetomaternal hemorrhage resulted in a hemoglobin concentration in the infant of only 2,1 g/dL. Neither mother nor child showed signs of metastatic disease. The macroscopic examination showed a hydropic placenta weighing more than 1 kilogram. Microscopy showed an intraplacental choriocarcinoma 3 cm in diameter. The tumor had infiltrated the maternal basal plate. Conclusion. Fetomaternal bleeding is a rare form of presentation of choriocarcinoma but its presence should always warrant detailed examination of placenta, mother, and infant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Glostrup Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Nodre Ringvej 37, 2600 Glostrup, Denmark.
authors.forename: Anna-Karina Aaris
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Henningsen
authors.forename: Lisa Leth
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Maroun
authors.forename: Hanne
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Havsteen
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Svare