Choriocarcinoma in the male patient presenting as gastrointestinal hemorrhage

A case of primary gastric choriocarcinoma and a review of the Japanese literature

A 63-year old woman who had experienced melena for 2 weeks was admitted to Tokyo University Hospital. Gastric adenocarcinoma was diagnosed endoscopically and histologically, and a total gastrectomy was performed soon thereafter. Pathological examination of the resected stomach revealed choriocarcinoma of the stomach. Although chemotherapy was administered after surgery, she died 3 months after admission. Autopsy confirmed the diagnosis of primary gastric choriocarcinoma, a rare, but highly malignant tumor. It is characteristic; macroscopically it forms a necrotic mass with bleeding, and microscopically it often consists of adenocarcinoma and choriocarcinoma. Since its prognosis is extremely poor, we must take into account the possibility of primary gastric choriocarcinoma when a hemorrhagic gastric tumor with necrosis is found.

Seminoma of the testis presenting as an ulcerating mass of the duodenum

Germ cell tumors (GCT) arising in the testes secondarily involve bowel in 5% of patients (1), and such involvement is usually via extension from adjacent metastatic lymphadenopathy. While this involvement often causes obstruction and gastrointestinal bleeding, radiologic identification of bowel ulceration has not been reported. We report an unusual case of small bowel invasion and ulceration, identified on CT examination, due to adenopathy resulting from testicular carcinoma.

Hematogenous metastases to the stomach. A review of 67 cases

Metastatic tumors to the mucosa of the stomach are unusual occurrences that can cause clinical and pathologic problems in diagnosis. The authors report 67 cases from the files of the Veterans Administration Center at Houston. Ten cases were found on endoscopic biopsy and 57 at necropsy. Each patient endoscopically evaluated presented with upper gastrointestinal tract symptoms, including bleeding, abdominal pain, anorexia, and vomiting. At endoscopic examination, characteristic "volcano-like" ulcers were noted. Clinical gastrointestinal symptoms were present in 30 of the necropsy cases, and in four cases the gastric metastases led to the patients' deaths. Tumors primary in the lung accounted for most of the metastases (55%), followed by other gastrointestinal malignancies. A correct diagnosis is important to direct therapy and is facilitated by the characteristic clinical, endoscopic, and histologic findings.

Hematogenous metastases to the stomach. A review of 67 cases

Metastatic tumors to the mucosa of the stomach are unusual occurrences that can cause clinical and pathologic problems in diagnosis. The authors report 67 cases from the files of the Veterans Administration Center at Houston. Ten cases were found on endoscopic biopsy and 57 at necropsy. Each patient endoscopically evaluated presented with upper gastrointestinal tract symptoms, including bleeding, abdominal pain, anorexia, and vomiting. At endoscopic examination, characteristic "volcano-like" ulcers were noted. Clinical gastrointestinal symptoms were present in 30 of the necropsy cases, and in four cases the gastric metastases led to the patients' deaths. Tumors primary in the lung accounted for most of the metastases (55%), followed by other gastrointestinal malignancies. A correct diagnosis is important to direct therapy and is facilitated by the characteristic clinical, endoscopic, and histologic findings.

Hemorrhage: a complication of metastatic testicular choriocarcinoma

Patients with choriocarcinoma are at risk for hemorrhage. The majority of reported cases have occurred in patients with gestational trophoblastic disease. Although choriocarcinoma in the male is a less common entity, a similar tendency exists. In 3 male patients at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center hemorrhage developed as a direct consequence of metastatic choriocarcinoma. The blood loss was massive and resulted in the death of 2 patients. Hemorrhage occurred in two distinct settings: immediately after chemotherapy and in patients with rapidly progressive advanced disease. Early recognition and vigorous support were critical in patient management. Surgical excision of bleeding metastases may be beneficial in selected instances.

Testicular tumour presenting as haematemesis

The case is presented of a malignant testicular tumour which presented with a haematemesis due to multiple tumour deposits in both stomach and jejunum. No similar case has been previously recorded. The pathology and aetiology of testicular tumours are discussed.