Possible link between congenital uterine malformations and epitheliod trophoblastic tumor

Balint Farkas, Krisztina Kovacs, Miklos Vizer, Jozsef Bodis, Peter Gocze

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pecs Medical Center, Pécs, Hungary.
Department of Pathology, University of Pecs, Pécs, Hungary.

DOI: 10.4236/ojog.2012.23046                

Abstract

Background: Epitheloid trophoblast tumor (ETT) is a tenuous type of gestational trophoblastic disease. Although clinically ETT behave in variable fashion, it is considered as a potentially malignant tumor, fatal malignancy occurs in 10% of the cases. Case and Conclusion: A 41 years old patient, who previously underwent Tompkins operation because of congenital uterine septum was admitted to our clinic due to irregular bleeding. Despite of serum hCG levels under the upper limit of normal, histopathology analysis of D&C obtained endometrial samples confirmed the presence of ETT by immunostainings. Henceforth we performed prompt abdominal hysterectomy and preserved the normal structured ovaries. According to the müllerianosis theory of endometriosis aberrant differentiation or migration could cause spreading of cells throughout the fetal organogenesis of the uterus. These cells in an apoptosis week environment might correlate with the initiation of ETT. As a conclusion we suggest further studies to assess the link between ectopic cells and ETT, to gain a better understanding in the pathomechanism of the tumor.

Keywords

Epitheloid Trophoblastic Tumor; Uterine Septum; Congenital Uterine Malformation; Intermediate Trophoblast

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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