epidermal-growth-factor and Fallopian-Tube-Neoplasms

A case of epithelioid trophoblastic tumour (ETT), occurring in a fallopian tube of a 39-year-old woman, is reported. The patient presented with a positive pregnancy test, but continued to have 'periods'. A palpable right adnexal mass was noted that was confirmed on ultrasound. The mass was removed together with the uterus, omentum and associated ovary. Careful examination of the uterus revealed no evidence of either an antecedent tumour or intra-uterine pregnancy. Histologically, the tubal mass displayed sheets and islands of large, relatively uniform, mitotically active polyhedral cells, with surrounding necrosis. The immunoprofile of the tumour was atypical in that alpha-inhibin and epidermal growth factor were weakly positive, but other results were consistent with the diagnosis of ETT. The patient received a foreshortened course of standard EMACO (etoposide, actinomycin-D, methotrexate, vincristine, and cyclophosphamide) combination chemotherapy for high-risk gestational trophoblastic disease. Serum beta-hCG fell from a pre-operative level of 52 000 U/mL to non-pregnant levels within two courses and she remains well and disease-free 12 months post-diagnosis.

Topics: Adult; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Biomarkers, Tumor; Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; Dactinomycin; Disease-Free Survival; Doxorubicin; Epidermal Growth Factor; Epithelioid Cells; Etoposide; Fallopian Tube Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Hysterectomy; Immunohistochemistry; Inhibins; Leucovorin; Methotrexate; Pregnancy; Treatment Outcome; Trophoblastic Neoplasms; Uterine Neoplasms; Vincristine