Coexisting epithelioid trophoblastic tumor and choriocarcinoma of the uterus following a chemoresistant hydatidiform mole

Pathology of Gestational Trophoblastic Disease (GTD)

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD), comprising hydatidiform moles (HM) and gestational trophoblastic tumors (GTT), is extremely rare. HM originate from villous trophoblast and are considered preneoplastic. GTT originate from the intermediate, largely extravillous trophoblast and includes choriocarcinoma, placental site trophoblastic tumor, epitheloid trophoblastic tumor, and mixed trophoblastic tumor. The abnormal (non-molar) villous lesions, non-malignant tumour-like conditions, and non-gestational tumors add to the diagnostic dilemma. The correct diagnosis and classification of these rare conditions are important. This review intends to provide an update on changes in the World Health Organization classification and focusses on the morphologic aspects in diagnosis of GTD.

Mixed Gestational Trophoblastic Tumors-Challenging Clinicopathological Presentations

Mixed gestational trophoblastic tumors are exceptionally rare and have variable clinicopathological presentations. We report 3 such tumors with different combinations of choriocarcinoma (CC), placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT), and epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT). The patients' age ranged from 38 to 44 years. Mixed trophoblastic tumor was not considered at the initial diagnosis and all 3 tumors were proven of gestational origin by DNA genotyping. Patient #1 presented with serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) of 97 mIU/mL and a 5.6-cm cervical mass that was initially interpreted as PSTT on biopsy. Hysterectomy revealed a mixed PSTT (60%) and ETT (40%) with extrauterine metastases of only the ETT component. The tumor recurred 15 months after a multiagent chemotherapy and was tested positive for programmed death-ligand 1. The patient received immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy and remained disease-free after 24 months. Patient #2 presented with vaginal bleeding and serum hCG of 46,458 mIU/mL. An endometrial biopsy was interpreted as CC. Recurrence developed in the uterus and lung after methotrexate-based chemotherapy. A mixed CC and ETT were eventually diagnosed upon consultation review. Patient #3 presented with a complete hydatidiform mole and serum hCG of 744,828 mIU/mL. Three months after methotrexate, followed by actinomycin D therapy, a uterine mass was found. Hysterectomy revealed a mixed CC and PSTT. In conclusion, the rarity, elusive presentation, and wide range of histology make the diagnosis of mixed trophoblastic tumors highly challenging. The clinical management and prognosis are dictated by each component of the tumor. CC component must be considered when the patient presents with a high serum hCG level.

Extrauterine epithelioid trophoblastic tumour and its somatic carcinoma mimics: short tandem repeat genotyping meets the diagnostic challenges

AIMS

While epithelioid trophoblastic tumour (ETT) primarily arises from the uterus, cases have been increasingly documented at extrauterine sites, originating from an ectopic gestation or presenting as a metastatic tumour, leading to the major differential diagnosis of somatic carcinoma with trophoblastic differentiation. The precise separation of a gestational trophoblastic tumour from its somatic carcinoma mimics is highly relevant and crucial for patient management and prognosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We summarise the clinicopathological and molecular features of four challenging epithelioid malignancies presenting at extrauterine sites, with ETT as the main differential diagnosis. All four tumours demonstrated histological and immunohistochemical features overlapping between a somatic carcinoma and an ETT, combined with inconclusive clinical and imaging findings. Serum beta-hCG elevation was documented in two cases. Short tandem repeat (STR) genotyping was performed and was informative in all cases. The presence of a unique paternal allelic pattern in the tumour tissue confirmed the diagnosis of ETT in two cases with an initial consideration of either somatic carcinoma or suspicion of a gestational trophoblastic tumour. The presence of matching genetic profile with the patient's paired normal tissue was seen in two other cases (both initially considered as ETT), confirming their somatic origin, including one metastatic triple-negative breast carcinoma and one primary lung carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

Diagnostic separation of ETT at an extrauterine site from its somatic carcinoma mimics can be difficult at the histological and immunohistochemical levels. STR genotyping offers a robust ancillary tool that precisely separates ETT from somatic carcinomas with trophoblastic differentiation.

Postmenopausal mixed gestational trophoblastic neoplasia with complete response to immunotherapy - A case report

•Mixed GTN.•GTN in a post-menopausal woman.•Treatment of GTN with immunotherapy.

Double trouble: Extrauterine epithelioid trophoblastic tumor with uterine choriocarcinoma - An autopsy report

Gestational trophoblastic tumors (GTTs) include choriocarcinoma, epithelioid trophoblastic tumor, and placental site trophoblastic tumor. The occurrence of mixed GTT is rare. We report such a case in a 24-year-old woman who presented with menorrhagia since 2 months and obstetric history of two abortions, one of which was a molar pregnancy. She was undergoing evaluation for carcinoma cervix and treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis from another hospital when she was admitted at our institute for further workup and treatment. However, she succumbed and an autopsy was performed. Histologic evaluation after the autopsy revealed uterine choriocarcinoma with metastatic epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT) in the lung and spleen.

Pathology of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD)

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is subclassified into hydatidiform mole (HM), gestational trophoblastic tumours (GTT) and non-neoplastic trophoblastic lesions. HM, partial and complete, originate from villous trophoblast and are considered as preneoplastic conditions. The risk for the development of persistent GTD, mostly as invasive HM, ranges from 0.5% to 20%, which depends on the type of molar pregnancy. The risk of development of trophoblastic tumour after PHM is <0.5% and 2%-3% after CHM. GTT represent a spectrum of neoplasms that originates from the intermediate, largely extravillous, trophoblast and these include choriocarcinoma (CC), placental site trophoblastic tumour (PSTT), epithelioid trophoblastic tumour (ETT) and mixed trophoblastic tumour. Among tumour like conditions, exaggerated placental site reaction (EPSR) and placental site nodule (PSN) (s)/plaque (s) are included. The morphological appearances of HM can be mimicked by abnormal (non-molar) villous lesions, and similarly, GTT can be mimicked both by non-malignant tumour-like conditions and non-gestational tumours with trophoblastic differentiation, which add to the diagnostic dilemma of these rare conditions. GTT have a favourable prognosis and better response to specific chemotherapeutic regimens when compared with non-gestational malignant genital tract neoplasms. The correct diagnosis and classification of these rare conditions are therefore important. This article focusses on the morphological appearances, immunocytochemistry as an aid in the diagnosis and the changes in current WHO classification of GTDs (WHO 2020).

Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor coexisting with choriocarcinoma around an abdominal wall cesarean scar: a case report and review of the literature

Background

Mixed gestational trophoblastic neoplasms are extremely rare and comprise a group of fetal trophoblastic tumors including choriocarcinomas, epithelioid trophoblastic tumors, and placental site trophoblastic tumors. We present a case of a patient with extrauterine mixed gestational trophoblastic neoplasm adjacent to the abdominal wall cesarean scar. On the basis of a literature review, this type of case has never been reported before due to the unique lesion location and low incidence.

Case presentation

Our patient was a 39-year-old Chinese woman who had a history of two cesarean sections and one miscarriage. She had a recurrent anterior abdominal wall mass around her cesarean scar, and the mass was initially suspected of being choriocarcinoma of unknown origin. The patient had concomitant negative or mildly increased serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin at follow-up and no abnormal vaginal bleeding or abdominal pain. However, she underwent local excision twice and had two courses of chemotherapy with an etoposide and cisplatin regimen. She finally opted for exploratory laparotomy with abdominal wall lesion removal, subtotal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, and left ovarian cyst resection, which showed the abdominal wall lesion, whose components were revealed by microscopy and immunohistochemical staining to be approximately 90% epithelioid trophoblastic tumors and 10% choriocarcinomas from a solely extrauterine mixed gestational trophoblastic neoplasm around an abdominal wall cesarean scar.

Conclusions

It is worth noting whether epithelioid trophoblastic tumor exists in the setting of persistent positive low-level β-human chorionic gonadotropin. More studies are required to provide mechanistic insights into these mixed gestational trophoblastic neoplasms.

Epithelioid Trophoblastic Tumor: Expanding the Clinicopathologic Spectrum of a Rare Malignancy

Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor is a malignancy derived from the chorionic laeve-type intermediate trophoblast with sufficient rarity that the vast majority of literature on the topic exists in the form of case reports and small series. Classically, it is regarded as a well-circumscribed tumor with an expansile growth pattern that occurs in reproductive-aged women, usually after a normal pregnancy. However, we recently encountered a case of epithelioid trophoblastic tumor with aggressive spread throughout the abdomen and pelvis in a 68-yr-old female presenting 30 yr after her last delivery. Although to our knowledge this is the first report in a postmenopausal patient to be confirmed by molecular analysis of short tandem repeats, there are multiple similar case reports spanning a variety of clinical settings that deviate from the original description. We therefore sought to synthesize the clinicopathologic data among the available reports in the English literature, with emphasis on pathologic findings. While the overarching themes are largely unchanged, this series of 77 patients reveals a broader spectrum of disease and highlights frequent misdiagnosis. Here we present a clinicopathologic update on this rare entity, with emphasis on a practical approach to diagnosis.

Synchronous Choriocarcinoma and Epithelioid Trophoblastic Tumor Concurring at the Cesarean Scar: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

We present a complicated case of recurrence of gestational trophoblastic neoplasms (GTN), mixed ETT and choriocarcinoma at an abdominal cesarean scar. This tumor consisted of typical morphologic and immunophenotypic features of ETT and choriocarcinoma. The tumor recurred despite the patient undergoing chemotherapy. The patient had this abdominal mass resected three times. The elements of ETT and coexisting choriocarcinoma varied each time. Due to re-recurrence of the tumor, the following decisions had been made: total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, right-sided inguinal lymph node biopsy. At the time of this report, recurrence was negative.

A Case Series of Five Patients With Pure or Mixed Gestational Epithelioid Trophoblastic Tumors and a Literature Review on Mixed Tumors

OBJECTIVES

To review the clinicopathologic features of five patients with epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT).

METHODS

Characteristics of patients diagnosed with ETT in 2000 to 2012 were reviewed.

RESULTS

Among 190 patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN), two had pure ETT and three had mixed ETT and choriocarcinoma. The median age was 32.5 years. All the patients had localized disease in the uterus. One patient with pure ETT had a recurrence in the ureter 6 years after the initial treatment. Another patient with pure ETT had two full-term deliveries after fertility-sparing surgery. The three patients with mixed tumors had chemotherapy for GTN before their diseases were completely treated by hysterectomy. At a median follow-up of 102 months, all patients survived.

CONCLUSIONS

ETT is indolent. Recurrence can happen, but the risk factors are not clear. When patients with GTN fail to respond to chemotherapy, the possibility of mixed GTN should be considered.

Ovarian Epithelioid Trophoblastic Tumor in a Cynomolgus Monkey

Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT) is an unusual type of trophoblastic tumor, with features resembling carcinoma. In this study, we describe a 4-year-old cynomolgus monkey ( Macaca fascicularis) showing, at necropsy, a lobulated mass replacing the left ovary and several nodular lesions within the lungs. Histologically, the mass in the ovary and lung metastases were characterized by nests of epithelioid cells, with intermingled, occasional, multinucleate tumor cells consistent with syncytiotrophoblasts and moderate amount of eosinophilic, hyaline-like material. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were diffusely positive for cytokeratins (AE1/AE3) and inhibin-α, but only focal immunoreactivity was observed for human chorionic gonadotropin, whereas placental alkaline phosphatase was always negative. On the basis of morphology and immunohistochemical reactivity, tumor cells were identified as intermediate trophoblast.

Diagnostic challenges in cornual epithelioid trophoblastic tumor

OBJECTIVE

We present a case of primary cornual epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT) because of its rarity and diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.

CASE REPORT

A 28-year-old woman, gravida 1, para 1, who missed menstruation for 3 months, had an elevated β-human chorionic gonadotropin serum level of 2764 mIU/mL, an absence of intrauterine pregnancy, and the presence of an adnexal mass detected by transvaginal ultrasound. As an ectopic pregnancy was suspected, laparoscopic surgery was performed and showed a right corneal mass. Complete excision of the tumor was done through exploratory laparotomy. Frozen pathology favored the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma. Since there was no apparent tumor at other sites, no additional surgery was done. The final pathology showed ETT. Primary ETT is often misdiagnosed as an ectopic pregnancy, leading to delayed treatment, and poses a diagnostic challenge in distinguishing it from squamous cell carcinoma during pathological examination.

CONCLUSION

Careful evaluation and avoidance of overtreatment are emphasized.

Epithelioid Trophoblastic Tumor: An Outcome-Based Literature Review of 78 Reported Cases

Objectives

Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT) is very rare; and therefore, a substantially increased data set is unlikely to be obtained in the near future. This analysis aimed to assess the effects of current management on clinical outcomes and to identify potential prognostic indicators in ETT.

Methods

We applied a literature search using PubMed to analyze the clinical data of 78 published cases of ETT.

Results

Women with ETT present at reproductive age (mean ± SD, 37.1 ± 8.7 years) and have a slightly to moderately elevated serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin (median, 665 IU/L). Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor is frequently present in the lower uterine segment/cervix (26/58 cases) and can be misdiagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma (6/26). Lung is the most common extrauterine site of ETT (5/11 with uterine ETT and 10/20 without uterine ETT). Kaplan-Meier analysis indicates that chemotherapy (surgery with postoperative chemotherapy vs surgery alone) is associated with increased ETT relapse (P= 0.005), even after stratification by International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage (P= 0.008); but FIGO stage remains the only significant prognostic indicator for ETT (P= 0.015).

Conclusions

This analysis confirms the hypothetical chemotherapy resistance and prognostic value of FIGO staging in ETT. These findings remain tentative given the small data set available for analysis and the reporting bias from these published cases; however, they may confer a risk-adapted therapy. Finally, both gynecologists and pathologists should be alert to the potential misdiagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma when ETT is present in the lower uterine segment/cervix.

Transformation of a post-cesarean section placental site nodule into a coexisting epithelioid trophoblastic tumor and placental site trophoblastic tumor: a case report

Placental site nodules (PSNs) and epithelioid trophoblastic tumors (ETTs) respectively represent non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions of chorionic-type intermediate trophoblasts (ITs). Many patients with a PSN have a history of a cesarean section (CS) or therapeutic abortion. Recent evidence shows that a PSN may progress to an ETT. Herein, we describe a coexisting ETT and placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT) intimately associated with PSNs in the post-cesarean lower uterine segment of a 41-year-old woman. The patient presented with abnormal vaginal bleeding 1 year after a cesarean delivery for her most recent pregnancy. We speculated that the neoplasms had transformed from PSNs, the formation of which was related to faulty expulsion of the placental tissue or abnormal colonization of chorionic-type ITs during the CS. Neoplastic trophoblastic cells derived from PSNs displayed differentiation plasticity toward chorionic-type ITs and implantation site ITs that were respectively constituted of an ETT and PSTT.

VIRTUAL SLIDES

The virtual slides for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1597949195882123.

Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor: a case report and review of the literature

Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT) is a rare gestational trophoblastic tumor. Cases of ETT present as abnormal vaginal bleeding in women of reproductive age, with low human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels. ETT can be a sequela of any gestational event and can present in both intrauterine and extrauterine sites. Metastasis and death have been reported. We present a case of a 44-year-old female incidentally diagnosed with ETT following laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy. Postoperative evaluation for metastatic disease was negative. The patient has been closely followed and remains disease free 8 months postoperatively. ETT presents a diagnostic challenge due to its rarity and histologic resemblance to other pathologies. ETT is relatively chemoresistant and managed surgically. Misdiagnosis delays effective treatment and affects survival.

Analysis of clinicopathologic prognostic factors in 9 patients with epithelioid trophoblastic tumor

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathologic features and prognostic factor in patients with epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT).

METHODS

From January 2002 to June 2010, the clinicopathologic characteristics, treatments, outcomes, and prognosis of 9 patients with ETT were analyzed retrospectively in our institution.

RESULTS

Of 9 patients, 8 (88.9%) had metastases. The histopathologic results of 7 patients (77.8%) with poor outcomes showed diffuse multifocal disease within the uterus, full-thickness myometrial invasion, uterine serosal involvement, and extensive necrosis. The size of the uterus exceeded 8 weeks of gestation in 7 patients. Two of them had poorly differentiated carcinoma. All patients were treated with multimodality treatment that combined with surgery and chemotherapy. After the initial treatments, 5 patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage I achieved complete remission (CR), 1 patient achieved partial remission, and 3 patients (33.3%) had no response to treatments and died of progressive disease. After following up for 6 to 107 months (mean, 24 months), 4 (44.4%) of the 5 patients with initial CR had relapse: 3 of them achieved a second CR and the other 1 was under treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor is a rare and special type of intermediate trophoblastic tumor with a high degree of malignancy and poor prognosis. Multifocal lesions in bulky uterus, combined with full-thickness myometrial invasion and uterine serosal involvement, could be related to poor outcomes in patients with ETT. The prognosis of ETT could be improved by increasing diagnostic accuracy, identifying prognostic factor at an early stage, and providing early intensive multimodality treatment to patients with poor prognostic factors.

Sonographic appearance of gestational trophoblastic disease evolving into epithelioid trophoblastic tumor

Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor is a distinctive but rare trophoblastic tumor. It derives from intermediate trophoblastic cells of the chorion laeve and is usually associated with a previous gestational event. We report the case of a patient who had undergone dilatation and curettage for a missed miscarriage. Three months later gestational trophoblastic disease was suspected because of persistent vaginal bleeding and high levels of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG). Transvaginal ultrasound revealed irregular echolucent lacunae within the myometrium, some of them filled with low-resistance, turbulent blood flow on Doppler examination, emphasizing the diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic disease. The patient was treated with 12 courses of multiagent chemotherapy. After a 2-year remission, a low rise in serum beta-hCG was observed. Transvaginal ultrasound revealed a well-circumscribed echogenic lesion with a diameter of 1.8 cm in the uterine fundus, with no detectable blood flow on Doppler imaging. A diagnosis of tumor of intermediate trophoblastic cells was suspected and total hysterectomy was performed. On pathological examination, the histological and immunohistochemical features were characteristic of epithelioid trophoblastic tumor. Most reported cases of epithelioid trophoblastic tumor have solitary nodules with sharp margins, which is consistent with our ultrasound findings. Ultrasound may be helpful in differentiating epithelioid trophoblastic tumor from placental-site trophoblastic tumor, another tumor of intermediate trophoblastic cells, which shows infiltrative growth insinuating between muscle fibers.

Epithelioid trophoblastic tumour: a case report and review of the literature

Epithelioid trophoblastic tumour (ETT) is an unusual type of trophoblastic tumour, which can cause difficulties in diagnosis and (as a consequence) in treatment. The literature suggests that surgery should be the treatment of choice for ETT as it is not responsive to chemotherapeutic agents, used in the treatment of other types of gestational trophoblastic diseases. This case report describes an ETT, which was initially diagnosed as a carcinoma of the cervix. Surgical management was chosen based on the literature. 6 months later the patient also developed a plasmacytoma and was treated with radiotherapy. The occurrence of ETT and plasmacytoma in combination has never been described before. This case report describes a rare case of an atypical trophoblastic tumour, with problematic differential diagnosis. Treatment of carcinoma of the cervix would have necessitated postoperative radiotherapy, but on diagnosis of ETT, surgical management was considered sufficient. Hence, it is important to consider the occurrence of ETTs, although rare, in patients with atypical cervical or endometrial cancer, and in patients diagnosed with a gestational trophoblastic tumour, who do not respond to appropriate chemotherapy.

Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor: review of a rare neoplasm of the chorionic-type intermediate trophoblast

We present a brief review of epithelioid trophoblastic tumor, a rare trophoblastic neoplasm derived from chorionic-type intermediate trophoblastic cells that typically presents in reproductive-age women between 1 and 18 years following a previous gestation. Histologic features include a nodular growth pattern of monomorphic, epithelioid cells within a hyaline matrix. Areas of necrosis and mitotic activity (0-9 mitoses per 10 high-power fields) are additional features of this neoplasm. Positive immunostaining for p63 and cytokeratin, frequent location in the lower uterine segment and endocervix, as well as the epithelioid appearance can lead to confusion with squamous cell carcinoma. Inhibin-alpha is typically expressed, as well as focal, more variable expression of other trophoblastic markers including beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, human placental lactogen, placental alkaline phosphate, and Mel-CAM (CD148). The clinical behavior of this rare form of gestational trophoblastic disease is difficult to predict. Although most cases follow a benign course following resection, there is a potential for metastatic disease.

Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor: clinicopathological features with an emphasis on uterine cervical involvement

We report on the clinical and histological features of five cases of epithelioid trophoblastic tumor, with an emphasis on its involvement of the uterine cervix. All five patients were of reproductive age (median age 38.4 years) and all, except one, presented with vaginal bleeding 3 to 18 years after the most recent pregnancy. One patient presented with amenorrhea. Elevation of serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was seen in four cases. Pathologically, the tumor involved endocervix in three cases and involved uterine corpus in another two. All five tumors were invasive, nodular lesions consisting of epithelioid intermediate trophoblastic cells that were mononuclear with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm, along with zones of hyaline material and necrotic debris. In three cases of cervical involvement, the neoplastic cells focally replaced endocervical surface and glandular epithelium, simulating high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions. Immunohistochemically, all five tumors displayed focal positivity for human placental lactogen and hCG. Positive nuclear staining of p63 was seen in all five cases. All patients received total hysterectomy and various regimes of adjuvant chemotherapy. Three patients survived the tumor with no recurrences or metastases with follow-up periods of 3, 7 and 16 years. One patient is currently alive with lung metastasis 1 month after the surgery. One patient died of tumor metastasis 8 months after the diagnosis. In summary, with its unusual ability to simulate an invasive squamous cell carcinoma and other epithelioid neoplasms, epithelioid trophoblastic tumor frequently poses a diagnostic challenge, especially when involving the uterine cervix. High index of suspicion and an awareness of elevation of serum chorionic gonadotropin are crucial in reaching a correct diagnosis.

Pathology of gestational trophoblastic diseases

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is a heterogeneous group of diseases. This used to include partial and complete hydatidiform moles, invasive mole, choriocarcinoma and placental site trophoblastic tumour. In recent years, new entities, including epithelioid trophoblastic tumour, have been added to this family. Non-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions derived from implantation site and chorion intermediate trophoblast have been gaining attention in the literature. New markers for trophoblasts have been identified facilitating histological diagnosis in cases with unusual clinical or pathological features. It is worth noting that histological distinction between hydropic abortion and partial mole and between complete and partial moles, especially at early gestational age, may be difficult. It may not be possible to predict progress of the heterogeneous group of GTD from histopathological features, except probably in placental site trophoblastic tumour. Alternative biological markers may be explored for better patient management.