Dedifferentiated endometrioid adenocarcinoma with trophoblastic components and elevated serum alfa-fetoprotein

Abstract

Rationale: Dedifferentiated endometrioid adenocarcinoma (DEAC) consisted of a combination of undifferentiated and differentiated carcinoma is more aggressive than other conventional endometrioid adenocarcinomas. Patient concerns: A 33-year-old woman with atypical vaginal bleeding was refereed to our hospital. She had an endometrial biopsy in a local clinic which showed differentiated endometrioid carcinoma with trophoblastic components. High levels of β-Human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) and alfa-fetoprotein (AFP) were detected in the patient's serum. Interventions: The patient underwent total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, total omentectomy and systemic pelvic lymphadenectomy in our center. Diagnosis: Pathological investigation indicated that the tumor had well differentiated and undifferentiated adenocarcinoma as well as trophoblastic components. Outcomes: Serum β-hCG and AFP dropped significantly after operation. But three weeks later, the patient had developed pulmonary metastases and elevation of serum β-hCG. She died of the disease five months after surgery. Lessons: DEAC with trophoblastic differentiation seems to follow an aggressive course with early metastasis and poor clinical prognosis. However, due to small number of cases, further studies are necessary.