History of Research on Choriocarcinoma: from the Experience of Peking Union Medical College Hospital to the International Clinical Practice

Choriocarcinoma is a highly invasive malignant gynecological carcinoma. Widespread metastases can occur by bloodstream in the early stage. Before 1960s, due to the lack of effective treatments, its mortality rate was above 90%. Since 1949, under the leadership of Academician SONG Hong-zhao, Peking Union Medical College Hospital has conducted a series of research on the pathogenesis, development, diagnosis and treatment of choriocarcinoma, and has achieved groundbreaking results. His team members are continuing to make unremitting efforts. Their work plays an important role in enhancing the research level in this field. Now, the overall cure rate of choriocarcinoma is over 90%. At present, China has maintained the cutting edge of this field. Efforts by Peking Union Medical College Hospital has been recognized by their overseas counterparts and written into the international guidelines of Choriocarcinoma.