Cancer of the placenta Frequency of 1:40,000 pregnancies (extremely rare) The cancer invades rich maternal tissues where it grows, reproduces and spreads September 15, 2005 - Memory is diagnosed with GTN (Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia)-choriocarcinoma, when our daughter was 3 months old. She was devastated and shocked to hear the news and is given a 50% chance to live based on the poor prognosis. The choriocarcinoma cancer is a very aggressive type of cancer that grows from the placenta. Thus, the pregnancy cancer had spread from source in the uterus, to the vagina, lungs, liver and brain in a very short time period. GTN is a rare gynecological cancer that is termed to the umbrella group of diseases that start in the placenta such as molar pregnancies. Memory's disease was so rare only 1 in 40,000 pregnancies are diagnosed - many oncologists have never treated it, much less come across information about it. Luckily, the Tom Baker Centre in Calgary holds the best specialists in the country lead by the best doctors. His team follows the same leading edge treatment protocols that the GTN Hospital in Chicago, the Mayo Ross Clinic and the New York Hospital does. Memory started her first line of chemotherapy immediately and maximum dose of radiation to her head.
Suggested Reading regarding GTN:
Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia: A Guide for Women Dealing with Tumors of the Placenta, such as Choriocarcinoma, Molar Pregnancy and Other Forms of GTN by Tara Johnson
