Choriocarcinoma
Choriocarcinoma: A highly malignant tumor that arises from trophoblastic cells within the uterus. Choriocarcinoma tends to be invasive and to metastasize early and widely through both the venous and lymphatic systems. Choriocarcinoma is one of the two types of gestational trophoblastic tumor, the other being hydatidiform mole.
Choriocarcinoma may follow any type of pregnancy. It is especially likely to occur with a hydatidiform mole (molar pregnancy). About 2 to 3% of hydatidiform moles are complicated by the development of choriocarcinoma.
The prognosis for women with metastatic choriocarcinoma was once grim. It has markedly improved with the advent of multidrug chemotherapy. Patients with high-risk metastatic disease usually need aggressive multidrug chemotherapy. Women with low-risk metastatic disease are sometimes treated with a single drug. Overall, the cure rate for high-risk patients is 60 to 80%.
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- Chorion
Chorion: The outermost of the two fetal membranes (the amnion is the innermost) that surround the embryo. The chorion develops villi (vascular finger-like projections) and develops into the placenta.
- Chorionic villus sampling
A procedure for first-trimester prenatal diagnosis. Abbreviated CVS. CVS may be done between the eighth and tenth weeks of pregnancy. The aim is to diagnose severe abnormalities that are present in the fetus. Tissue is withdrawn from the villi of the chorion, a part of the placenta, and then prepared for diagnostic analysis.
- Choroid
Choroid: In the eye, a thin vascular layer between the sclera and the retina. The choroid supplies blood to the retina and conducts arteries and nerves to other structures in the eye.
- Choroiditis
Choroiditis: An inflammation of the layer of the eye behind the retina, either in its entirely (multifocal choroiditis) or in patches (focal choroiditis). Usually the only symptom is blurred vision. See also uveitis.
- Chrematophobia
Chrematophobia: Fear of money. Although born to a wealthy family, he has chrematophobia and lives a spare life. From the Greek chrimata, money + phobia.