Which of the following histological features distinguishes choriocarcinoma from a complete hydatidiform mole?

• A Presence of cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast
• B Absence of chorionic villi in choriocarcinoma ✓
• C Presence of hydrops in choriocarcinoma
• D Higher β-hCG levels in complete mole than in choriocarcinoma

Explanation

The defining histological hallmark of choriocarcinoma is the complete absence of chorionic villi; it consists only of sheets of cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast with haemorrhage and necrosis. Complete hydatidiform mole, by contrast, has markedly hydropic and swollen villi with trophoblastic proliferation. Both entities produce β-hCG and contain trophoblastic cells, so those features do not distinguish them.

Reference: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.