Dedifferentiated endometrioid adenocarcinoma with trophoblastic components and elevated serum alfa-fetoprotein: A case report and literature review

Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Apr;97(17):e0551. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000010551.

Abstract

Rationale: Dedifferentiated endometrioid adenocarcinoma (DEAC) consisted of a combination of undifferentiated and differentiated carcinoma is more aggressive than other conventional endometrioid adenocarcinomas.

Patient concerns: A 33-year-old woman with atypical vaginal bleeding was refereed to our hospital. She had an endometrial biopsy in a local clinic which showed differentiated endometrioid carcinoma with trophoblastic components. High levels of β-Human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) and alfa-fetoprotein (AFP) were detected in the patient's serum.

Interventions: The patient underwent total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, total omentectomy and systemic pelvic lymphadenectomy in our center.

Diagnosis: Pathological investigation indicated that the tumor had well differentiated and undifferentiated adenocarcinoma as well as trophoblastic components.

Outcomes: Serum β-hCG and AFP dropped significantly after operation. But three weeks later, the patient had developed pulmonary metastases and elevation of serum β-hCG. She died of the disease five months after surgery.

Lessons: DEAC with trophoblastic differentiation seems to follow an aggressive course with early metastasis and poor clinical prognosis. However, due to small number of cases, further studies are necessary.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carcinoma, Endometrioid / blood*
  • Carcinoma, Endometrioid / pathology*
  • Cell Dedifferentiation
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / blood*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Trophoblastic Neoplasms / blood*
  • Trophoblastic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • alpha-Fetoproteins / analysis*

Substances

  • alpha-Fetoproteins