The treatment of choriocarcinoma

Abstract

Out of 750 cases of trophoblastic disease documented in the University Department over the last nineteen years, 112 were considered malignant by our criteria. This paper traces the evolution of our regime for the management of these patients, our classification, and the results of treatment. The results of the early cases when chemotherapy was not available were compared with those after chemotherapy. In general, patients with villous forms and those with persistent hCG excretion fared better than those with avillous tumours. The recent use of sophisticated ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and radioimmunoassays highlights the two cardinal point in the management of this condition, namely early diagnosis and accurate hormone monitoring. These, coupled with better drugs will improve the prognosis of future patients.