Choriocarcinoma arising from the pituitary fossa with extracranial metastasis: a review of the literature

Surg Neurol. 1983 May;19(5):469-80. doi: 10.1016/0090-3019(83)90149-0.

Abstract

Since Askanazy's first report on a case of primary intracranial choriocarcinoma in 1906, more than 60 cases have been reported so far. We add to that a case of intrasellar choriocarcinoma with suprasellar extension: A 12-year-old girl showed cranial nerve palsies, hypopituitarism, and abnormally high titers of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in blood and in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). She died 3 months after surgery. At autopsy, an intra- and suprasellar choriocarcinoma, which penetrated through the clivus into the cerebellopontine angle and metastasized remotely to the lungs, was confirmed. This rare case is presented with a thorough review of the literature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Choriocarcinoma / diagnosis*
  • Choriocarcinoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Choriocarcinoma / pathology
  • Choriocarcinoma / secondary*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Male
  • Pineal Gland / diagnostic imaging
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Pregnancy
  • Sella Turcica / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed