A Case of Primary Mediastinal Choriocarcinoma

A 32-year-old male with primary choriocarcinoma of the anterior mediastinum was reported. He came to our hospital complaining of sputum cruentum and exertional dyspnea. The carcinoma had already metastasized both lung fields at the initial radiological examination. The patient died 25 days after the first examination due to respiratory disorder. An autopsy revealed a solid dark reddish tumor (4*6 cm) in the anterior mediastinum. Syncytiotrophoblasts and cytotrophoblasts were noted in the hemorrhagic necrotic lesions. Staining studies indicated the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and the diagnosis of choriocarcinoma was established. The serum hCG level was elevated to 3, 000 IU/L. There was no evidence of the tumor in the testis.