Master Choriocarcinoma with Picmonic for Medicine

With Picmonic, facts become pictures. We've taken what the science shows - image mnemonics work - but we've boosted the effectiveness by building and associating memorable characters, interesting audio stories, and built-in quizzing.

DOWNLOAD PDF

Recommended Picmonics

Uterine Leiomyoma (Fibroids) Characteristics and Presentation

Endometrial Hyperplasia

Endometritis

Vaginal Cancer

Asherman Syndrome

Choriocarcinoma

Oreo-Car-Gnome

Picmonic

Choriocarcinoma is a rare ovarian germ cell tumor that can develop during or after pregnancy in the mother or baby. Malignancy arises usually in the placenta, but sometimes in the ovary. Malignant trophoblastic tissue will show no chorionic villi, while the frequency of theca-lutein cysts increases. Hematogenous spread to the lungs is common. The most effective tumor marker is increased hCG level and most cases are preceded by a hydatidiform mole.

7 KEY FACTS

Choriocarcinoma is a malignant, trophoblastic cancer, usually arising in the placenta but occasionally in the ovary.

Malignant trophoblastic tissue, usually of the placenta, will have no chorionic villi present.

Choriocarcinoma is characterized through spread to the lungs via the blood.

Choriocarcinoma is one of the more malignant types of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.

Theca lutein cysts are seen with increased frequency in choriocarcinoma. They are bilateral, fluid-filled cysts that arise when hCG levels are elevated.

In most cases, choriocarcinoma is preceded by a hydatidiform mole either complete or partial. A complete mole leading to development of choriocarcinoma occurs in approximately 16-20% of cases, and a partial mole precedes choriocarcinoma in approximately 0.5-1% of cases. Complete moles do not have associated fetal parts and may include a large, boggy uterus and an absence of fetal heart tones during the late first and early second trimester.

Elevated levels of human chorionic gonadotropin are seen in choriocarcinoma, thus making it an effective tumor marker.

DOWNLOAD PDF