Massive Fetomaternal Hemorrhage Caused by an Intraplacental Choriocarcinoma : A Case Report

Abstract EN

Background.

Intraplacental choriocarcinoma is a rare but highly malignant trophoblastic neoplasm.

When found near term the risk of maternal metastasis is high because of the late diagnosis.

Case.

We describe a case of an intraplacental choriocarcinoma diagnosed postpartum after a near-term delivery of a severely anemic infant.

A fetomaternal hemorrhage resulted in a hemoglobin concentration in the infant of only 2,1 g/dL.

Neither mother nor child showed signs of metastatic disease.

The macroscopic examination showed a hydropic placenta weighing more than 1 kilogram.

Microscopy showed an intraplacental choriocarcinoma 3 cm in diameter.

The tumor had infiltrated the maternal basal plate.

Conclusion.

Fetomaternal bleeding is a rare form of presentation of choriocarcinoma but its presence should always warrant detailed examination of placenta, mother, and infant.