A case of primary mediastinal choriocarcinoma

Abstract

A 30-year-old man presented with cough and bloody sputum. He brought a chest radiogram showing abnormal findings. His chest computed tomography revealed a large mediastinal mass and multiple nodular shadows in both lungs. The serum beta-HCG level was remarkably elevated, and physical examination revealed bilateral gynecomastia and right supraclavicular lymph node swelling. His lymph node was biopsied and choriocarcinoma was diagnosed. After 3 cycles of BEP therapy (cisplatin, etoposide, bleomycin), the tumors regressed and the serum beta-HCG level decreased. Although there were residual tumors and serum beta-HCG was mildly elevated, he refused additional therapy. The choriocarcinoma progessed rapidly again and he died seven months after his first visit. Primary mediastinal germ cell tumors are rare, and in particular the pure type of choriocarcinoma arising in the mediastinum is even rarer. Patients with mediastinal choriocarcinoma are mostly young men. The prognosis of primary mediastinal choriocarcinoma is still very poor despite the introduction of combination chemotheraphy including cisplatin. We report a case of primary mediastinum pure choriocarcinoma. Chemotherapy was effective for the patient, but he died because of recurrence after refusal of future treatment. Establishment of more effective treatment is necessary.