71 MCQs in Pathology Answer

Choriocarcinoma

• A malignant tumor derived from trophoblast. 50% come from complete hydatidiform moles.
• There are no villi at all! By definition, if there are villi it is hydatidiform mole, not choriocarcinoma.
• The tumor is a hemorrhagic nodule with central necrosis, because the choriocarcinoma has no intrinsic blood supply (as all other cancers do). So only the outer rim of the tumor is viable.
• The tumor recapitulates endovascular trophoblastic migration, with syncytiotrophoblasts around cores of cytotrophoblasts. Highly destructive, infiltrative growth.
• Serum hCG is mildly elevated, but hCG is extremely high inside tumor cells.
  
• Choriocarcinoma metastasizes hematogenously, yet has a very good prognosis with chemotherapy.

Category: Pathology MCQs