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Gestational trophoblastic disease

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Chorioblastoma; Choriocarcinoma; Trophoblastic tumor; Chorioepithelioma; Invasive/malignant mole; Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia

Treatment:

After an initial diagnosis, a careful history and examination are done to rule out metastasis (spread to other organs). Chemotherapy is the treatment of choice.

A hysterectomy is rarely required.

Support Groups:

For additional information, see cancer resources .

Expectations (prognosis):

Nearly all women whose choriocarcinoma did not spread are cured, and more than 90% maintain reproductive function.

The outlook may not be as good if the cancer has spread and one of more of the following conditions occur:

• Disease has spread to the liver or brain
• Serum HCG level is greater than 40,000 mIU/ml at the time treatment is started
• Having received prior chemotherapy
• Symptoms or pregnancy occurred for more than 4 months before treatment
• Choriocarcinoma occurred after a pregnancy that resulted in the birth of a child

However, about 66% of women who initially have a poor outlook go into remission (a disease-free state).

Complications:

Choriocarcinoma may recur, usually within several months but possibly as late as 3 years after treatment ends. Complications associated with chemotherapy or surgery can also occur.

If a hysterectomy is performed, infertility will result. Menopause will begin if the ovaries are also removed.

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms arise within 1 year after hydatidiform mole, abortion (including miscarriage), or term pregnancy.

• Review Date: 9/11/2006
• Reviewed By: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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