Choriocarcinoma is generally associated with which type of pregnancy?

Study for the USMLE Step 2 CK Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Choriocarcinoma is a type of gestational trophoblastic neoplasm, and it is most commonly associated with molar pregnancies. A complete mole, often resulting from abnormal fertilization, has the potential to evolve into choriocarcinoma. The abnormal trophoblastic tissue in a hydatidiform mole can lead to excessive proliferation and malignant transformation, resulting in choriocarcinoma. This relationship is significant because women with a history of molar pregnancies are at a higher risk for developing this malignancy.

In the context of other types of pregnancies, while choriocarcinoma can, in rare cases, occur following a normal pregnancy or a miscarriage, these instances are less common compared to its strong association with molar pregnancies. Therefore, identifying molar pregnancy as the correct answer highlights the typical clinical context in which choriocarcinoma arises and elucidates the pathophysiological link between abnormal placentation and cancer development.

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