title: Placental Site Trophoblastic Tumors: Analysis of the Clinicopathologic Characteristics of 20 Cases in Korea.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathologic features of placental site trophoblastic tumors (PSTTs) in Korea.
  
  
  
  Twenty patients given a diagnosis of PSTT in Korea (1990-2013) were evaluated retrospectively, including 14 patients identified through a literature review and 6 patients identified through a medical chart review of a single institution. The analysis included patient age, antecedent pregnancies, time since antecedent pregnancy, presenting symptoms, serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin level, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, treatment, outcome, and follow-up.
  
  
  
  The mean age of the 20 patients was 32 years (range, 25-53 years). The antecedent pregnancies included 8 term pregnancies, 8 abortions, and 2 molar pregnancies. The time since the antecedent pregnancy was less than 1 year in 16 patients (80%). Nineteen patients (95%) presented with abnormal vaginal spotting or amenorrhea. Serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin levels ranged from normal to 13,480 mIU/mL, although most patients (80%) had a level less than 1000 mIU/mL. Seventeen patients (85%) presented with stage I disease. Ten patients (50%) underwent hysterectomy, and 14 patients (70%) were treated with chemotherapy with or without hysterectomy. In 11 evaluated patients, the median mitotic count index was 3.4 (0.4-10) per 10 high-power fields. The median follow-up time was 17 months (range, 1-68 months). There was no recurrence or death from disease.
  
  
  
  Korean patients with PSTT often have early-stage disease, which has a favorable prognosis even with fertility-preserving therapy. However, international studies are necessary to determine the optimal treatment and prognostic factors.
authors.affiliation: *Comprehensive Gynecologic Cancer Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam-si; and †Sangkyung Won Natural Therapy Healing Center, Yeo Ju city, Korea.
authors.forename: Min Chul
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Sang Geun
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Hyun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Won Duk
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Joo
authors.forename: Chan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Je Ho
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Joon Mo
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yoon Young
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Seung Jo
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018245:Trophoblastic Tumor, Placental Site / Q000473:pathology*