sofidexFor patientsAre you a clinician? Clinical site

Warning-sign checks

Choriocarcinoma: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Emergency symptoms such as severe bleeding, fainting, major breathing difficulty, coughing up significant blood, seizure, or sudden neurologic changes require immediate care.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact the oncology or trophoblastic disease team promptly for new vaginal bleeding, persistent cough, unusual headaches, abdominal pain, or a positive pregnancy test during surveillance.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Follow-up is an essential part of treatment.

    Quantitative hCG tests are repeated until the level becomes normal and then monitored regularly for a defined period.

    The schedule and length of monitoring depend on the diagnosis, risk category, treatment, and local protocol.

    Routine follow-up visits may include a review of symptoms, physical examination, blood tests, and imaging when indicated.

    Keep scheduled appointments even when feeling well, because an hCG increase may be the first sign that further evaluation is needed.

    After the recommended follow-up period, future pregnancy is often possible.

    A clinician may recommend early ultrasound and hCG testing in a later pregnancy.

    Placental or pregnancy tissue may also be examined when clinically appropriate.

The article also says

Pregnancy raises hCG and can make it difficult to tell whether disease has returned.

Clinicians therefore usually recommend reliable contraception during the monitoring period.

The care team can discuss which method fits the person's health and preferences.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Choriocarcinoma. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.