Patient with partial mole requiring chemotherapy

Analysis of 309 Cases after Hydatidiform Mole: Different Follow-Up Program According to Biologic Behavior

Between 1976 and 1985, at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of Milan University, a total of 309 cases of hydatidiform mole, 223 complete moles and 86 partial moles, were monitored with the assay of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, following a postmolar biochemical surveillance program. Spontaneous remission of the disease occurred in 287 (92.9%) patients. Marker levels were undetectable in 80.4 % of cases within 60 days after evacuation of the mole and in 19.6% between 61 and 140 days. There were 22 (7.1%) patients diagnosed as having gestational trophoblastic tumors (GTT) and treated with chemotherapy: 20 were complete moles and 2 partial moles. Considering these data, the authors suggest different follow-up times for partial and complete moles and confirm the necessity of selection criteria in a diagnosis of GTT.

Gestational trophoblastic disease following the evacuation of partial hydatidiform mole: a review of 66 cases

OBJECTIVE

The current study was undertaken in order to identify the clinical characteristics and natural history, as well as methods of investigation and available therapy, of persistent gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) following the evacuation of partial hydatidiform mole (PM).

METHODS

Case reports of persistent GTD following the evacuation of partial mole, were searched using the Medline computerized retrieval system. There were 66 such cases (including 4 cases treated at our department), representing 2.9% of GTD following PM.

RESULTS

The mean age of the women at diagnosis was 28.4 years and mean gravidity was 2.99. The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 15.5 weeks and the mean uterine size was 13.6 weeks. The most common presenting symptom was vaginal bleeding. In the majority of the patients, the pre-evacuation diagnosis was incomplete or missed abortion.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the malignant potential of PM is low, persistent GTD may develop after PM and may even metastasize, it is usually responsive to single agent chemotherapy but may require combination chemotherapy. Therefore, after evacuation of PM, these women should be followed with serial serum b-hCG. Further research is needed to enable earlier identification of PM that eventually will develop persistent GTD.

Comparison of villous trophoblast proliferation rate in hydatidiform mole and non-molar abortion by assessment of proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression

This study examines the proliferative activity of trophoblast in hydatidiform mole, non-molar hydropic abortion and non-molar spontaneous abortion. Nine cases of complete mole, 10 cases of partial mole, eight cases of non-molar hydropic abortion and six cases of non-hydropic second trimester abortion were examined by routine histopathology and the rate of cell proliferation was assessed by immunoreactivity for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Hydropic abortion showed a significantly lower PCNA index than complete mole and partial mole. There was no significant difference in PCNA index between partial mole and non-hydropic abortion. The trophoblast of partial hydatidiform mole demonstrates significant cell proliferation but this, although higher than that of hydropic abortion, is no higher than that of non-hydropic abortion of a similar gestational age. The role of partial mole as a precursor of persistent gestational trophoblastis disease remains unclear.

Diagnosis and management of gestational trophoblastic disease

Gestational trophoblastic disease is a term that describes a group of tumors that share several characteristics as follows: (1) they arise in fetal chorion, (2) they produce human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and (3) they respond extremely well to chemotherapy. Although rare, they have received a disproportionate amount of attention because they were the first metastatic solid tumor to be cured using chemotherapy. Also, hCG was the first reliable tumor marker. Finally, because they arise in fetal tissue, they have the potential for a strong immune response against paternal antigens in the tumor. This potential for immunologic rejection was thought initially to explain the success of chemotherapy in this disease. The early detection of gestational trophoblastic disease is successful in patients who have had a hydatidiform mole as the pregnancy event that begins the process but unsuccessful in the early detection of the development of choriocarcinoma after a normal term delivery, abortion (spontaneous or elective), or ectopic pregnancy. Surveillance after evacuation of a molar pregnancy (whether complete or a partial mole) consists of regular evaluation of hCG production and the detection of metastatic disease. However, the development of gestational choriocarcinoma after term pregnancy or an abortion (no molar tissue can develop as a consequence of these pregnancies) is detectable only by signs or symptoms of metastatic disease in any of the many organs to which this tissue can spread. Unlike most staging classifications in gynecologic cancers, which are based on histologic findings and tumor location, the classification used in gestational trophoblastic disease stresses other features that are more useful for treatment selection. Both the National Institutes of Health and the World Health Organization classifications emphasize the importance of recognizing factors that predict the likelihood of a tumor responding to chemotherapy. Currently available treatment can cure all patients except those who are in the very high-risk group, which usually is characterized by metastasis to the brain or liver or a history of prior chemotherapy. Even in this category, approximately 80% of patients are curable.

In situ choriocarcinoma arising in partial hydatidiform mole: implications for the risk of persistent trophoblastic disease

The risk of persistent trophoblastic disease following partial hydatidiform mole is controversial. In spite of claims that 4 to 11% of cases require chemotherapy, there is a paucity of affected patients in the literature. A critical review of those patients suggests an alternative or unproven diagnosis in the majority. An instance of placental in situ choriocarcinoma arising in a partial mole is reported. Because in situ choriocarcinoma may represent the incipient lesion in the majority of the one-third of cases of gestational choriocarcinoma that follow a normal pregnancy, we postulate that the presence of the in situ lesion in a partial mole supports the view that the risk of persistent trophoblastic disease may be no greater after partial mole than after a normal gestation.

Recurrent consecutive partial molar pregnancy

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is rare. Recurrent GTD, though occurring in only 0.6-2.6% of subsequent pregnancies, has significant clinicopathological implications. These include risk of malignant sequelae and subsequent poor reproductive performance. The cytogenetics and histopathology of complete and partial moles differ, yet there are several clinicopathological similarities. Although complete hydatidiform moles are known to recur, very little is known about recurrent partial vesicular moles in world literature. We report here on a patient with four consecutive recurrent partial hydatidiform moles who is yet to achieve a normal pregnancy. Her third molar pregnancy was further complicated by severe thyrotoxicosis. The unusual histology and the progressively more aggressive clinical course are discussed. The small risk of malignant sequelae and the need for close endocrinological monitoring are highlighted, as are her chances of yet another recurrent GTD.

Interphase cytogenetics in paraffin sections of routinely processed hydatidiform moles and hydropic abortions

The differential diagnosis of complete (CM) and partial (PM) hydatidiform moles and hydropic abortions (HA) can be difficult when based on histology alone. Therefore, a more objective approach of chromosome ploidy analysis as detected by in situ hybridization (ISH) was performed on 6 microns paraffin sections of seven cases, originally classified as three CM, two PM, and two HA with a histologic pattern suggestive of triploidy. Probes for repetitive DNA targets in the (peri)centromeric region of chromosomes 1 and X and in the q arm of chromosome Y were used to determine chromosome ploidy and sex chromosome composition. The findings in the three CM were consistent with diploidy: two copies of chromosomes 1 and X and none of chromosome Y. In the two HA with a histologic pattern suggestive of triploidy, three copies of chromosomes 1 and X and none of chromosome Y confirmed triploidy. Two cases originally classified as PM both appeared to have two copies of chromosome 1 with an XX pattern in one case and an XY pattern in the other case, which is consistent with diploidy instead of triploidy. After reviewing, both cases most likely represented CM. We conclude that interphase cytogenetics by ISH on paraffin sections of hydatidiform moles and hydropic abortions enables chromosome ploidy analysis with preservation of histological context.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Partial hydatidiform mole with subsequent trophoblastic tumor; a case report

A case of partial hydatidiform mole revealed by genetic marker analysis one maternal and two paternal chromosome complements. Levels of serum human chorionic gonadotropin were persistently elevated during follow-up. Avillous curettage specimens prior to chemotherapy were morphologically suspicious for gestational choriocarcinoma. It is still uncertain whether the risk for gestational choriocarcinoma preceded by partial mole exceeds the risk related to non-molar abortions. Careful follow-up with serial serum human chorionic gonadotropin levels is required to detect persistent disease.

Gestational trophoblastic disease: what have we learned in the past decade?

Hydatidiform moles can be classified into two distinct entities: complete and partial. Complete moles are androgenetically derived, are characterized by a predominance of the 46,XX karyotype, and are associated with a significantly higher incidence of malignant sequelae than are partial moles. A subset of complete moles resulting from dispermy are heterozygous (46,XY) and appear to be associated with the greatest risk of malignancy. Free subunits of human chorionic gonadotropin, beta core fragments, and acidic variants of human chorionic gonadotropin can now be readily measured by radioimmunoassays, fluoroimmunoassays, or isoelectric focusing techniques. Determination of these markers can be of value not only in monitoring response to therapy, but also as prognostic indicators. A subgroup of patients, traditionally classified as "high risk" or poor prognosis, who show poor responses to conventional combination chemotherapy have recently been designated as "ultra-high-risk" patients. They require more complex chemotherapy and possibly surgery and radiotherapy to achieve remission. The development of chemotherapy over the past decade, including the introduction of etoposide and cisplatin into current protocols and the treatment of patients with advanced gestational trophoblastic disease, are considered in this review.

Molar pregnancy coexisting with a normal fetus: a case report

Molar pregnancy with a coexisting live fetus is a rare occurrence. We present morphologic and cytogenetic analysis of a recent case. Cytogenetic studies revealed a 46, XX karyotype for the fetus, the normal placenta, and the abnormal placenta. Chromosome banding studies confirmed the presence of maternal and paternal chromosomes in all three tissues. These studies favored the possibility that both tumor and fetus arose from a single gestation. Subsequently, the patient required chemotherapy for low-risk, metastatic trophoblastic disease.

Diagnosis of molar pregnancy and persistent trophoblastic disease by flow cytometry

Histopathological assessment and flow cytometric analyses were carried out on 32 placentas (representative of each trimester) and 88 molar pregnancies. Three first trimester placentas were triploid, and the remaining 29 placentas were diploid. Of the 88 cases originally diagnosed as molar pregnancies, 26 were triploid (two complete moles, 20 partial moles, and four hydropic abortions); 59 were diploid (46 complete moles, 10 partial moles, three hydropic abortions); one was tetraploid (partial mole); and two were DNA aneuploid (one partial mole, one complete mole). A significantly increased hyperdiploid fraction (a measure of cell proliferation) was detected in diploid complete moles (p less than 0.0001) and cases of persistent trophoblastic disease (p less than 0.001) when compared with diploid placentas and diploid partial moles. All seven cases of established persistent trophoblastic disease, for which follow up was available, were diploid and showed high hyperdiploid fractions within the range for diploid complete moles. These findings suggest that flow cytometric DNA measurements may be an important aid in the diagnosis of molar pregnancy. The high degree of cell proliferation found in this study may explain the premalignant potential of complete hydatidiform moles.

Identification of triploidy by DA/DAPI staining of trophoblastic interphase nuclei

Combined staining of non-cultured interphase nuclei from hydatidiform moles with distamycin A and DAPI resulted in the presence of specific stained interphase bodies. A mean number of six interphase bodies was observed in moles with a diploid karyotype and a mean number of nine interphase bodies was observed in triploid moles. It is concluded that the interphase bodies are primarily due to specific staining of the large heterochromatic areas on chromosomes 1, 9 and 16. The method may permit a rapid measurement of the ploidy of non-cultured hydatidiform moles and identify partial, triploid moles.

Hydatidiform mole in Nottingham: a 12-year retrospective epidemiological and morphological study

The results of a 12-year retrospective study on the epidemiology of hydatidiform mole (HM) in Nottingham are presented. We have reviewed the histology of our cases of HM, tried to minimize selection bias, and have used the most reliable data available. Using data from two different sources we have calculated the frequency of HM as 1 in 1400 deliveries. The frequency of HM in this study is one quarter of that reported in an excellent study from Japan. We suggest that, with accurate epidemiological studies, the difference in frequency of HM between 'high risk' and 'low risk' areas is less than previously accepted. The present study also shows a lower incidence of persistent trophoblastic disease than previously generally accepted. We confirm that partial HM is a distinct clinicopathological entity and that two forms are distinguishable histologically. The malignant potential of partial HM is uncertain, and we suggest that the clinical management of partial HM should be no different from that of complete HM until further studies dictate otherwise.

Gestational trophoblastic tumors

Although virtually 100% of women who develop gestational trophoblastic tumors enter a long-term complete remission, there are many aspects of trophoblastic disease that arouse interest. Epidemiological studies have shown a large geographical variation in the percentage of conceptions that result in a hydatidiform mole and have stimulated studies on the immunological differences of the low and high risk populations. Chromosomal analysis is now complementing the pathological differentiation between complete and partial moles. There is still debate as to which factors are positively associated with the progression of a hydatidiform mole through invasive mole to choriocarcinoma. There are also considerable differences in the proportion of molar patients receiving chemotherapy in different centers. In addition to these topics, this article will review several recently introduced treatment regimens which show improved results with reduced toxicity.

Genetic studies on hydatidiform moles

Using an historical approach, this article describes how genetic studies have elucidated the two entities into which the syndrome of hydatidiform mole can now be divided. Partial moles are triploid, have a maternal chromosomal set, and are associated with the presence of a fetus. Complete moles lack a fetus and are always diploid and androgenetic in origin, having two sets of paternal chromosomes. They are most often XX and homozygous, the most likely origin being by duplication of a haploid sperm. About 4% of complete moles have been shown to by XY and heterozygous, the most likely origin being by dispermy. The frequency of partial and complete mole observed depends on the method of ascertainment. Among spontaneous abortions, partial moles are more common than complete moles, but among cases having an elective termination of pregnancy because of a prior diagnosis of hydatidiform mole, complete mole is the more common. Patients with either type of mole may require treatment for persistent trophoblastic activity. More prospective studies of cases in which the type of mole has been confirmed by genetic studies are required in order to find out whether (a) patients with complete moles are more likely than those with partial moles to require treatment for persistence of trophoblastic activity after evacuation; and (b) heterozygous complete moles have a different prognosis from the point of view of malignant sequelae than homozygous complete moles.

The pattern of hydatidiform moles in Singapore

Hydatidiform mole is common in Singapore, and the the incidence of malignant trophoblastic neoplastic neoplasia is significantly higher than in Western countries. Within a 10-year period (1968-1977), 538 cases of hydatidiform mole were diagnosed. On retrospective study, 498 (92.6%) were considered to be complete and 40 (7.4%) partial. The ratios of complete to partial moles were similar for the major population groups. In the present study, only complete moles were found to give rise to persistent trophoblastic disease. The lack of such association in partial hydatidiform moles is in keeping with their known low malignant potential. Occasional abnormal post-evacuation hCG curves, however, are being described from other centres, and while the underlying pathology remains largely undocumented, partial moles have to be dealt with on an empirical basis in the light of the hCG follow-up levels.