Coexistence of Gastric Adenocarcinoma and Choriocarcinoma: Complete Response to Trastuzumab and Chemotherapy

Gastric choriocarcinoma is a rare neoplasm and usually accompanies gastric adenocarcinoma. The prognosis is poor due to the aggressive course of the disease. A 57-year-old female patient with weight loss and abdominal pain was examined. The patient was operated following the examination, and patholo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Case Reports in Oncology
Main Authors: Seyda Gunduz, Gulsum Ozlem Elpek, Mukremin Uysal, Sema Sezgin Goksu, Murat Tatlı, Deniz Arslan, Hasan Senol Coşkun, Hakan Bozcuk, Burhan Savas, Mustafa Ozdogan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Karger Publishers 2012-07-01
Subjects:
Gastric choriocarcinoma
cErbB2
Trastuzumab
Online Access:http://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/341662
Description
Summary:Gastric choriocarcinoma is a rare neoplasm and usually accompanies gastric adenocarcinoma. The prognosis is poor due to the aggressive course of the disease. A 57-year-old female patient with weight loss and abdominal pain was examined. The patient was operated following the examination, and pathological analysis revealed the presence of a gastric adenocarcinoma associated with choriocarcinoma. Immunohistochemical analysis showed a positive reaction with antibodies to beta-human chorionic gonadotropin and overexpression of the cErbB2 proto-oncogene. Staging revealed multiple metastases in the liver. A complete response was obtained with a combination of trastuzumab and chemotherapy. The diagnosis of gastric choriocarcinomas without pathological examination is difficult due to their rare occurrence. A complete response can be obtained with trastuzumab in the treatment of cases with overexpression of the cErbB2 protein.
ISSN:1662-6575

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