title: Choriocarcinoma in northwestern Nigeria: a histopathological review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Gestational choriocarcinoma is a malignant form of gestational trophoblastic disease with a highly aggressive biologic behavior and responds well to chemotherapy. The objective of this study is to analyse the various histological features of this neoplasm as seen in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching hospital, ( ABUTH ) Zaria, determine its incidence, and compare with other studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  The bench registers were used to retrieve the request forms, slides, and tissue blocks. The slides were all stained with standard haematoxylin and Eosin. The histological criteria published by Gehrig and van Lee was used to diagnose the tumours and grading of the cases from grade I to III.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty three cases were studied and these formed 4.9% of all products of conception and 37.7% of all gestational trophoblastic diseases. The peak age of incidence was in the third and fourth decades of life with vaginal bleeding as the leading mode of presentation. Extensive histopathological analysis and grading revealed haemorrhage, necrosis diamorphic appearance and pleomorphism as the most frequent features.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gestational choriocarcinoma is a common problem in Zaria, North- Western Nigeria with an incidence of 1 in 1039 deliveries. Haemorrhage, necrosis, diamorphic appearance and pleomorphism were the most frequent histological features. Health education and early detection are of paramount importance in reducing morbidity and mortality.
authors: Pathology Department, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria. ahmadumayun@yahoo.com
authors: A A
authors: AA
authors: Mayun
authors: A H
authors: AH
authors: Rafindadi
authors: M S
authors: MS
authors: Shehu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002822:Choriocarcinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D031901:Gestational Trophoblastic Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006652:Histological Techniques; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D060787:Neoplasm Grading; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies