Primary Choriocarcinoma of the lung

A fatal case with a primary choriocarcinoma of the lung is presented. The 43 year old women developed pain of the left chest wall for two months. Chest radiographs displayed a small peripherally localized tumor in the left upper lobe measuring 1 cm * 2 cm involving the adjacent pleura. She has been a smoker with about 20 pack years. The histology revealed an undifferentiated carcinoma; the immunohistology tumor cells with strong staining against ß-HCG and (weakly) against alpha-fetoprotein. The diagnosis of a primary choriocarcinoma of the lung was stated. The patient died after twenty-one months due to generalized tumor spread including brain metastases.