METASTATIC CEREBRAL CHORIOCARCINOMA COEXISTENT WITH A VIABLE PREGNANCY

Gestational choriocarcinoma associated with a viable pregnancy is extr emely rare, and such choriocarcinoma with metastases presenting during the pregnancy is even more exceptional. Metastases from this tumor ma y present in a variety of ways depending on the site of the metastatic lesion, and can be fatal before choriocarcinoma is even suspected. We describe a 32-year-old primigravida presenting at 31 weeks gestation with a grand mal seizure due to cerebral metastases secondary to gesta tional choriocarcinoma who was subsequently successfully treated with chemotherapy. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of chor iocarcinoma presenting with signs due to cerebral metastases during pr egnancy where both the mother and child survived. This paper emphasize s the need to consider metastatic choriocarcinoma in any gravid female who presents with unusual neurological signs because of the life-thre atening nature of this potentially curable disease. (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.