Epithelioid trophoblastic tumour: a report of two cases

  • Moawia Mohammes Ali Elhassan University of Gezira
  • Hue-Tsi Wu University of Cape Town
  • Leon Van Wijk University of Cape Town
Keywords: epithelioid trophoblalstic tumour, uterus, cancer, post-coital bleeding, dyspareunia

Abstract

An epithelioid trophoblalstic tumour (ETT) is an extremely rare form of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD).1 Usually, patients are of child-bearing age with a prior gestation.2 The uterus is the most common site for an ETT.3 This tumour has the same clinical behaviour as that of a placental site trophblastic tumour, but the treatment options may differ. Histologically, an ETT is a distinct neoplasm whose cytological features and growth patterns mimic those of squamous cell carcinoma.3 An ETT does not appear to be as chemosensitive as other GTDs, making hysterectomy the treatment of choice in patients with disease confined to the uterus.3 This tumour may present a diagnostic challenge to the pathologist, while clinicians often face problems with treating this tumour because of its rarity. We describe two cases of an ETT occurring in two women, one aged 44 years and the other 42 years.

Author Biographies

Moawia Mohammes Ali Elhassan, University of Gezira
FCRadOnc, MMedRadOnc Radiation Oncologist Department of Radiation Oncology National Cancer Institute University of Gezira PO Box 20
Hue-Tsi Wu, University of Cape Town
FCPathAnat, MMed Senior Consultant Department of Anatomical Pathology University of Cape Town South Africa
Leon Van Wijk, University of Cape Town
FFRAD(T) Senior Consultant Department of Radiation Oncology University of Cape Town South Africa
Published
2014-09-05
Issue
Vol 7 No 1 (2015)
Section
Case Studies
By submitting manuscripts to SAJGO, authors of original articles are assigning copyright to the South African Society of Gynaecologic Oncology (SASGO). Authors may use their own work after publication without written permission, provided they acknowledge the original source. Individuals and academic institutions may freely copy and distribute articles published in SAJGO for educational and research purposes without obtaining permission.