Choriocarcinoma is also known as Gestational Trophoblastic Tumors or GTT. A molar pregnancy that ascertains the growth of a mole in the womb during pregnancy leads to Choriocarcinoma. The reasons of molar pregnancy  in women could be:

1. Lack of essential  nutrients like protein and vitamins
2. Irregular or abnormal ovulation
3. Conceiving at an advancing stage i.e. above 45 years

1.    Ideally a woman with molar pregnancy with  Choriocarcinoma undergoes a D or C section for successful remission of the tumor. The oncologists in the later stage prefer administering chemotherapy for choriocarcinoma. Chemotherapy is the treatment that uses cytotoxic drugs to kill the cancer cells and also  disrupt their further growth. Choriocarcinoma chemotherapy might involve usage of a single drug to cure the cancer or a pre-designed combination of multiple drugs may be used to destroy the cancer cells. The time and intensity of chemotherapy is determined by staging the GTT. Oncologists often suggest blood and urine hCG levels test to diagnose the stage and severity  of the cancer. hCG level indicates the following pattern:

1. The hCG level is same for 4 continual measurements over a period of 3 weeks
2. The hCG level goes up to 2 measurements in a row over the last 2 weeks
3. The hCG level is 20,000 IU/L or higher in following four weeks after the surgery
4. hCG level remains higher for 6 months and further

The stage of the disease determined by assessing the hCG level helps the doctors to decide whether your cancer involves a low or a high risk. The dosage and schedules of chemotherapy is further devised depending upon the stage of chemotherapy and the response to the treatment.

Low risk involving Choriocarcinoma Chemotherapy:

Low risk treatment could be given by providing a drug called Methotrexate that is administered in the muscles (intramuscularly) every day. This is usually given in one of the big muscles in the  legs or on  the buttock. For a  few weeks the patient is required  to stay in the hospital and subsequent doses could be taken as an outpatient. Additionally folinic acid tablets are given to reduce the side effects of Methotrexate. Patients occasionally develop a resistance to Methotrexate and there is no drop in their hCG level. In such a situation switching to Dactinomycin is a possible solution. This drug is given intravenously or through  the vein, as a drip along with Etoposide.

High Risk involving Choriocarcinoma Chemotherapy:

If the hCG level shows high risk of choriocarcinoma one may be given Methotrexate intravenously. This is followed by Dactinomycin and Etoposide a week later. Besides, a combination of drugs labeled as EMA-CO could be given. EMA-CO includes Etoposide, Methotrexate and Dactinomycin. The chemotherapy regimen of EMA-CO exhibits a 2 days drip of Etoposide, Methotrexate and Dactinomycin (Actinomycin-D) followed by Cyclophosphamide and Vincristine (Oncovin ) for a week. The next cycle begins after this.

Possible Side Effects of Choriocarcinoma Chemotherapy:

Some common side effects evident after Choriocarcinoma Chemotherapy include:

1. Increased risk of infection
2. Mouth sores and changed taste
3. Diarrhea
4. Hair Loss
5. Anemia like condition
6. Weakness and breathlessness
7. Bruising and bleeding
8. Nausea and vomiting

The information quoted above on Choriocarcinoma chemotherapy might be good to enhance your overall knowledge and know how on chemotherapy treatment. We strongly recommend you to take the advice of your health care personnel in case of any irregularity.