Neonatal Choriocarcinoma of Liver

Abstract

Neonatal choriocarcinoma associated with a seemingly normal gestation is rare. A total of 20 cases of either primary or metastatic choriocarcinoma in infancy have been reported until 1992. We report an additional case of a huge choriocarcinoma of the liver in a 2-month-old boy, who died of tumor hemorrhage. This baby was born to a 19-year-old unmarried mother. The placenta was thought to be normal and was not examined histologically. The liver mass was first noted 2 weeks after birth, and he was admitted because of poor feeding and pallor. Before any therapy was instituted, he died of massive tumor bleeding. Autopsy revealed a huge hemorrhagic tumor mass with massive necrosis in the left lobe of the liver. Several nodular metastases were found only in the lung. The remainder was unremarkable except for bilateral cleft lip and palate. It is presumed that the choriocarcinoma in the liver could be either a primary tumor in the absence of any primary focus in the mother or the infant or a metastatic lesion from an occult choriocarcinoma of the placenta.

Key Words:

• choriocarcinoma
• neonate
• liver
• congenital tumor
• neoplasm