Tubal choriocarcinoma presenting as an ectopic pregnancy

Abstract

Choriocarcinoma, a subtype of gestational trophoblastic disease, is a rare and aggressive neoplasm. It occurs due to neoplastic changes in the chorionic villi epithelium. Primary fallopian tube choriocarcinoma is extremely rare and commonly mistaken as ectopic pregnancy. We present a case of a 37-year-old female who presented with complaints of prolonged spotting per vaginum following an induced abortion. Ultrasound was suggestive of the right tubal ectopic pregnancy, and beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (BHCG) levels were remarkably high. The patient was taken for laparoscopy suspecting tubal ectopic pregnancy and right salpingectomy was done. Histopathology was suggestive choriocarcinoma of fallopian tube. Contrast enhanced CT scan of brain MRI pelvis, and chest X-ray showed no evidence of metastasis. Hence, the patient was managed with single-agent chemotherapy with injection methotrexate with leucovorin. The case highlights the importance of histopathological examination of tubal specimen in all patients presenting with tubal ectopic pregnancy and also the need to suspect a tubal choriocarcinoma in any patient presenting as ectopic pregnancy with high BHCG levels.