PRIMARY CHORIOCARCINOMA OF THE UTERINE CERVIX - CLINICAL, MRI, AND COLOR DOPPLER ULTRASONOGRAPHIC STUDY

Primary choriocarcinoma of the uterine cervix was diagnosed in a 38-ye ar-old Japanese woman 4 months after a normal vaginal, term delivery. The patient had experienced irregular genital bleeding for several wee ks, A cervical polypoid tumor was detected by visual inspection 4 mont hs after delivery, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and color Doppler ultrasonography revealed a hypervascular tumor (6 cm) in the uterine c ervix, The patient's urinary level of human chorionic gonadotropin (hC G) was 128,000 IU/L. Histological examination of a biopsy of the cervi cal tumor showed choriocarcinoma. After completion of 2 courses of che motherapy, the patient underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy. Histo logical examination of uterus showed no evidence of choriocarcinoma. A t present, the patient is free of disease, MRI and color Doppler ultra sonography were useful for diagnosis by detecting the abundant blood f low and central necrosis of the cervical tumor. (C) 1997 Academic Pres s.