Clinical efficacy of superselective arterial embolization in the treatment of hemorrhage from malignant gestational trophoblastic tumor

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of superselective arterial embolization in controlling hemorrhage from malignant gestational trophoblastic tumor. Methods: From February 1990 to January 2008, 44 patients with hemorrhage from malignant gestational trophoblastic tumor (including 29 cases of choriocarcinoma and 15 cases of invasive mole) were treated with superselective arterial embolization. The hemorrhage sites included uterus (40 cases), cervical metastasis (1 case) and vaginal metastasis (3 cases).Results: In 41 cases (93.2 %), superselective arterial embolization successfully controlled the hemorrhage. Hysterectomy was performed in the 3 failed cases and uterine perforation was revealed by laparotomy. Five patients had normal term delivery after successful superselective arterial embolization and chemotherapy, and two patients are now in the healthy second trimester of pregnancy.Conclusion: Superselective arterial embolization can effectively control the hemorrhage from malignant gestational trophoblastic tumor.