Gestational trophoblastic disease is a quick growing form of cancer that occurs in a woman's uterus after a pregnancy, miscarriage, or abortion. It is usually metastatic, which means it spreads to other places in the body.

Gestational trophoblastic disease is also called a choriocarcinoma.

Choriocarcinoma remains an uncommon, yet almost always curable, cancer that can be associated with pregnancy.

The cancer forms in the tissues that develop after a baby is conceived. A choriocarcinoma looks like the cells that normally surround a developing baby (embryo).

In approximately 50% of cases of choriocarcinoma, the woman had a hydatidiform mole (molar pregnancy).

Nearly one-fourth of choriocarcinomas occur after pregnancy has resulted in the delivery of a normal child. The remainder of cases occurs after any type of abortion, ectopic pregnancy, or genital tumor.

A possible symptom is continued vaginal bleeding in a woman with a recent history of hydatidiform mole, abortion, or pregnancy.

Additional symptoms may include:

• Irregular vaginal bleeding
• Certain types of cysts on the ovaries
• Uneven swelling of the uterus
• Persistently high HCG (pregnancy hormone) levels (positive pregnancy test)
• Pain

A pelvic examination may reveal continued uterine enlargement or a tumor. These conditions may be felt within the genito-urinary tract.

Tests include:

• Quantitative serum HCG (blood test to confirm pregnancy)
• CT scan
• Chest x-ray