Definition

A type of cancer that forms in the cells that normally develop into the placenta during pregnancy, often found in the uterus.

Example

The doctor diagnosed her with choriocarcinoma after further tests were conducted.

Conversation

Have you heard about choriocarcinoma?

Yeah, I read that it's a rare type of cancer.

It's crazy how it develops from trophoblast cells.

I know, it sounds really serious and complicated.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Choriocarcinoma is formed from "chorion" (from Greek "choriōn", meaning membrane) and "carcinoma" (from Greek "karkinoma", meaning cancer). The term refers to a type of cancer that originates in the chorion, which is a membrane that surrounds the embryo during development.

Memory Tip

Think of the 'chorion' as the protective membrane around an embryo, and 'carcinoma' as a type of cancer — together, they describe a cancer that arises from this specific membrane.

Visually Confused Words