Primary pulmonary choriocarcinoma is a rare disease with only 31 reported cases in the literature so far. Here, we summarize all published cases, including a recent case of our own clinic. Patients usually presented with symptoms like dyspnea, cough, chest pain, weight loss or hemoptysis. In some cases, the nodule in the lung was found in a routine check-up in asymptomatic patients. In the present case, the patient presented to our clinic because of a positive urine pregnancy test despite taking oral contraceptives. Patients in the analyzed cases were either treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or best supportive care. In the present case, a complete resection of the tumor was possible and the patient has not had any signs of recurrence so far. When looking at the published cases and corresponding outcomes, a slight tendency toward a complete resection followed by chemotherapy or close follow-up examinations seems to give the patients the best survival chances. Nevertheless, the overall prognosis of primary pulmonary choriocarinoma is poor and the 5-year survival rate is below 5%.
Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.