Choriocarcinoma syndrome after resection of primary pulmonary choriocarcinoma: report of a case

BACKGROUND Choriocarcinoma syndrome is known as a lethal complication from tumoral hemorrhage, which frequently occurs at the site of tumor metastasis. CASE PRESENTATION A 59-year-old man with 60-pack-year smoking history was referred to our hospital because of hemoptysis. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed a 28 × 18 mm spiculated nodule with a cavity infiltrating the left upper lobe. A transbronchial lung biopsy was performed, and histopathological examinations revealed adenocarcinoma. No distant or regional metastasis was observed, and therefore, the patient underwent a left upper lobectomy with lymphadenectomy. Histological examinations showed that the tumor consisted of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma cells and a choriocarcinomatous component; no multiple pulmonary metastases and mediastinal lymph node metastasis were observed. Immunohistochemical analysis showed a positive immunoreaction for human chorionic gonadotropin in the syncytiotrophoblastic cells of the choriocarcinoma. One month after the operation, the patient developed massive hemoptysis. CT showed diffuse alveolar infiltration in both the lungs. A bronchoscopic examination showed bleeding from the right upper bronchus. Aspiration cytology showed carcinoma. Despite blood transfusion and management in the intensive care unit, the patient died one and a half month after diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS We herein report a case of a man who developed choriocarcinoma syndrome 1 month after resection for combined choriocarcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the lung. Choriocarcinoma syndrome is a rare and life-threatening complication which may occur in patients with primary pulmonary choriocarcinoma. However, we need to consider the risk of this syndrome while dealing with patients who have massive hemoptysis.