TITLE:
Epidemiology of Gestational Choriocarcinoma: A Systematic Review
AUTHORS:
Mohamed Affandi Farah Amalina, Seok Mui Wang, Redhwan A. AL-Naggar, Kathiresan Thanikasalam
KEYWORDS:
Gestational Choriocarcinoma, Epidemiology, Incidence, Prevalence, Risk Factor
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.10 No.3,
March
31,
2023
ABSTRACT: Gestational choriocarcinoma is a type of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) that is relatively rare and malignant. The current epidemiological data on this disease are inadequate. In this study, we examined the epidemiology of choriocarcinoma (CC) and its risk factors based on all available population-based and hospital-based data on the disease. For this purpose, the MEDLINE and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) databases were searched using the terms “choriocarcinoma”, “gestational”, “gestational choriocarcinoma”, and “epidemiology”. Only human studies published in English between 1995 and 2015 were included. The reference lists of selected studies were thoroughly reviewed in search of other relevant studies. A total of 10 studies met all the selection criteria. Nine were retrospective studies and one cohort study. All studies investigated the incidence rate of the disease, and two studies were on the disease’s risk factors or associated factors. Findings indicated there was a decrease in the incidence rate globally. These may be due to the efficacy of the chemotherapy treatment and a reduction in the incidence of molar pregnancy. There is limited information on the epidemiological aspects of gestational choriocarcinoma. About 20% of the studies showed a decline in the incidence of choriocarcinoma, while 80% showed inconsistencies in rate. The association of age, fertility age, occupations, and socio-demographic status remains unclear.