Recurrent choriocarcinoma complicated with leprosy during chemotherapy: A case report and literature review

The global prevalence of leprosy has decreased substantially, and cases of leprosy infection are extremely rare in China. In this report, we present a case of recurrent choriocarcinoma complicated by leprosy infection during chemotherapy. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 24-year-old Chinese woman (gravida 3, para 2) presented to a local hospital with vaginal bleeding. Her medical history included a previous diagnosis of hydatidiform mole. DIAGNOSES, INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES: The patient was diagnosed with choriocarcinoma and received chemotherapy in 6 cycles. Shortly after the initial treatment was completed, the disease recurred twice with resistance to multiple chemotherapeutic agents. In her second recurrence of choriocarcinoma, she was diagnosed with leprosy with many cutaneous nodules throughout her entire body. The patient was administered chemical treatment for leprosy with the multidrug therapy regimen after being diagnosed. To prevent exacerbating the infection, no immunotherapy was utilized to treat cancer, and the infection was well-controlled at the conclusion of anticancer therapy. LESSONS: Because of immunological reduction, cancer patients are susceptible to a variety of infections. For patients with cancer, prevention and early detection of rare infectious diseases should receive special attention. Immunotherapy must be used with caution when treating patients with cancer and infections.