Madison Reporter

Lydia Dutcher, a resident of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, recently celebrated a significant milestone: one year free from choriocarcinoma, a rare form of cancer. Her journey began in February 2024 when she went into labor with her first child at UnityPoint Health – Meriter. Despite an initially healthy pregnancy, Lydia experienced prolonged labor and developed an infection known as chorioamnionitis.

Dr. Danielle Hartwig, Lydia's primary care provider at UW Health, managed the situation and sent Lydia’s placenta for testing following the infection. This standard practice revealed unexpected news—a tumor on the placenta. "They found a tumor on her placenta, which I’d learned about in medical school but had never seen before," Dr. Hartwig said.

Choriocarcinoma is characterized by its rapid growth from cells that help embryos attach to the uterus to form the placenta. The diagnosis came as a shock to Lydia and her husband Matthew while they were preparing Valentine’s Day cheesecake when Dr. Hartwig called with the news.

Under the care of Dr. Lisa Barroilhet at UW Health | Carbone Cancer Center, Lydia underwent several tests including a pregnancy test due to the nature of this cancer releasing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone similar to that detected in pregnancy tests. Her hCG levels were alarmingly high post-birth—initially at 1,000 mIU/mL and rising to 25,000 within days—indicating that the cancer had spread.

Further scans confirmed Stage 3 choriocarcinoma with metastasis primarily in her lungs. "With this cancer, it’s common to see it spread through the blood to the lungs," Dr. Barroilhet explained.

To ensure their newborn Theo was unaffected by his mother’s condition before birth, he was also tested but showed no signs of cancer.

Lydia began chemotherapy on February 26, 2024, undergoing a ten-week treatment regimen mostly as an outpatient at University Hospital where her family could stay together during hospital visits.

By April 29th of that year, she completed her chemotherapy sessions and has since been undergoing regular monitoring for any signs of recurrence through monthly blood draws.

Reflecting on her experience during those challenging months postpartum while caring for Theo alongside battling cancer herself Lydia expressed gratitude: “From early newborn days to starting chemotherapy those first months with Theo were a blur but experience made me appreciate my life being mom much more.”

Looking ahead despite increased risks associated with future pregnancies due past illness Dutchers remain optimistic supported closely by dedicated healthcare team ensuring health safety should decide expand family further down line possibility another child arises.