Laparoscopic Fertility-preserving Treatment of a Pure Nongestational Choriocarcinoma of the Ovary: Case Report and Review of Current Literature

This case report demonstrates the feasibility of laparoscopic and fertility-preserving approach in nongestational choriocarcinoma of the ovary (NGCO). Pure NGCO is a rare malignant condition. In the last decade, only 14 cases have been reported in the literature. The use of laparoscopy and fertility-preserving procedures in nonepithelial ovarian malignancies is extremely controversial. A 23-year-old woman underwent emergency laparoscopy due to acute abdominal pain associated with an 8-cm large adnexal mass. The initial procedure consisted only of a left oophoroplasty, and histology revealed a tumor of high malignant potential compatible with a primary NGCO. Approximately 3 weeks after initial surgery, she was submitted to a laparoscopic staging surgery, including left adnexectomy, omentectomy, peritoneal biopsies, and retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. Final pathology confirmed an International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IIB NGCO. Before initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy based on 3 courses of bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin, the patient received goserelin for ovarian suppression. Nine months after therapy, the patient presented no signs of recurrence and reassumed normal menstruation cycles with normal levels of gonadotropins and tumor markers. The current report brings new insights into the possibility of using use minimally invasive surgery and a combination of fertility-preserving methods for the treatment of NGCO.