Endometrial carcinoma with trophoblastic differentiation. An aggressive form of uterine cancer

Cancer. 1991 Oct 15;68(8):1799-802. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19911015)68:8<1799::aid-cncr2820680825>3.0.co;2-3.

Abstract

Three cases of poorly differentiated endometrial adenocarcinoma showing trophoblast-like differentiation are reported. The multinucleated, syncytiotrophoblast-like cells were strongly positive for beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-HCG) by immunohistochemical study. High levels of beta-HCG were also present in the patients' serum, but dropped significantly after treatment. The patients had an unusually rapid and progressive clinical course with widespread dissemination and death by tumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / metabolism
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology*
  • Aged
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin / analysis
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Peptide Fragments / analysis
  • Uterine Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Uterine Neoplasms / pathology*

Substances

  • Chorionic Gonadotropin
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human
  • Peptide Fragments