choriocarcinoma

Pronunciation: kō′rē-ō-kar′si-nō′mă

Definition: A highly malignant neoplasm derived from placental syncytial trophoblasts and cytotrophoblasts that forms irregular sheets and cords, which are surrounded by irregular “lakes” of blood; villi are not formed; neoplastic cells invade blood vessels. Hemorrhagic metastases develop relatively early in the course of the illness, and are frequently found in the lungs, liver, brain, and vagina, and various other pelvic organs; choriocarcinoma may follow any type of pregnancy, especially hydatidiform mole, and occasionally originates in teratoid neoplasms of the ovaries or testes.

Synonym(s): chorioepithelioma

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