Fetomaternal hemorrhage caused by an intraplacental choriocarcinoma

Intraplacental choriocarcinoma is rare, and occasionally results in massive feto-maternal hemorrhage. We describe a case of an intraplacental choriocarcinoma diagnosed postpartum after a preterm cesarean delivery of a severely anemic newborn. The microscopic examination showed that clusters of malignant trophoblasts arose from residual normal chorionic villi and infi ltrat ed into the intervillous spaces, confirmed as intraplacental choriocarcinoma. Fetomaternal hemorrhage is a rare complication of choriocarcinoma but its presence should always warrant detailed examination of placenta, mother, and infant.