Choriocarcinoma in the Near East.Consanguinity as a possible etiologic factor

Epidemiologic and histologic data pertaining to 30 consecutive cases of choriocarcinoma and chorioadenoma destruens in the Near East lend support to the hypothesis that choriocarcinoma is a form of successful homotransplant and the higher incidence of trophoblastic growths in certain parts of the world seems to be favored by endogamous marital customs and “inbreeding.” That consanguinity plays an important role in the etiology of choriocarcinoma and related growths needs to be proven by extensive blood group surveys and other immunological studies in communities where hydatidiform moles and choriocarcinoma are relatively prevalent.