Role of surgery and radiation therapy in the management of gestational trophoblastic disease

The role of surgery in gestational trophoblastic disease: an overview

Gestational trophoblastic disease comprises a group of rare, and potentially malignant, conditions that arise from abnormal trophoblastic proliferation. When there is invasion and evidence of metastatic disease, gestational trophoblastic neoplasia is used. While chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, the role of surgery has come full circle in recent years. Before the introduction of highly effective systemic treatment options, surgery was the default treatment. Surgery for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia often yielded unsatisfactory results and mortality remained high. In recent years, the role of adjuvant surgery in the management of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia has been examined with great interest. We aim to provide an overview of the various surgical approaches employed in managing gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, including their indications, techniques, and outcomes. Additionally, we discuss whether there is a role to do less in surgery for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia and describe our experience with a modified surgical technique for its treatment. By summarizing the current evidence, this article highlights the significant contributions of surgery to the holistic management of patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia and provides a framework on which to base management and treatment programs.

In Vivo Quantitative Assessment of Gestational Choriocarcinoma Development and Progression Using Luminescent Trophoblast Cells

Gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTD) are a group of pregnancy-related disorders representing rare human tumors. Among GTD is the gestational choriocarcinoma (CC), which is a highly malignant gestational trophoblastic tumor that causes high mortality without timely treatment. The incidence of CC is about 1 in 50,000 pregnancies in developed countries and even higher in developing countries. CC developed from molar pregnancies exhibits even higher incidence rates (3-20 in 1000 pregnancies). In the present invention, we developed the first orthotopic animal model of CC. We demonstrate how to mimic the development of this cancer and observe rapid metastasis, which is seen in CC patients, by injecting the luciferase-positive JEG-3 (JEG-3-Luc) cells directly in the placenta of gravid SCID mice. Gravid mice were injected at 7.5 days post coitus (dpc) and followed throughout gestation to assess the parameters of CC development and metastasis. Mice imaged at day 19.5 dpc showed placental tumor development and large sites of metastases in the liver, spleen, lung, and peritoneum. This finding emphasizes the importance of placental vascularization in the rapid dissemination of tumor cells. Morphological analyses and histopathological examinations were performed to confirm JEG-3 cell dissemination in different organs of the gravid mice. This is the first time a CC model was developed by injection of tumor cells within the placenta. This technique offers a new tool to study tumor progression with strong perspectives to test anti-tumor agents in vivo.

Radiation Therapy for Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia: Forward-Looking Lessons Learnt

Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) includes several rare malignant diseases occurring after pregnancy: invasive moles, choriocarcinoma, placental site trophoblastic tumours, and epithelioid trophoblastic tumours. Multidisciplinary protocols including multi-agent chemotherapy, surgery, and occasionally radiotherapy achieve good outcomes for some high-risk metastatic patients. In this narrative review of the published studies on the topic, we have tried to identify the role of radiotherapy. The available studies are mainly small, old, and retrospective, with incomplete data regarding radiotherapy protocols delivering low doses (which can make this disease appear radioresistant in some cases despite high response rates with palliative doses) to wide fields (whole-brain, whole-liver, etc.), which can increase toxicity. Studies considering modern techniques are needed to overcome these limitations and determine the full potential of radiotherapy beyond its antihemorrhagic and palliative roles.

Management and Predictors of Treatment Failure in Patients with Chemo-Resistant/Relapsed Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia with Lung Metastasis

The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of a combined treatment modality of salvage chemotherapy and pulmonary resection in chemo-resistant/relapsed gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) with lung metastasis and identify predictors of treatment failure. Data of patients with chemo-resistant/relapsed GTN with lung metastasis who received salvage chemotherapy combined with pulmonary resection were retrospectively analyzed. Among 134 included patients, the number of preoperative chemotherapy regimens ranged from 2−8 (median, 3), and courses ranged from 4−37 (median, 14). Pulmonary lobectomies, segmentectomies, wedge resections, and lobectomies plus wedge resections were performed in 84, 5, 35, and 10 patients, respectively. After completion of treatment, 130 (97.0%) patients achieved complete remission. In the entire cohort, the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 87.6%. OS rates were similar between stage III and stage IV disease cohorts (89.4% vs. 75.0%, p = 0.137). Preoperative β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) levels > 10 IU/L (p = 0.027) and number of preoperative chemotherapy regimens > 3 (p = 0.018) were predictors of treatment failure. The combined treatment modality of salvage chemotherapy and pulmonary resection is effective in patients with chemo-resistant/relapsed GTN with lung metastasis, improving their prognoses. Patients with preoperative serum β-hCG >10 IU/L and those with >3 chemotherapy regimens preoperatively may not benefit from this multidisciplinary treatment.

Disruption of p97/VCP induces autophagosome accumulation, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human choriocarcinoma cells

Gestational choriocarcinoma is aggressive trophoblastic disease. The development, progression and the cure of this disease is not well-established. p97/Valosin containing protein has been shown to play critical roles in many cellular processes. In various cancers, higher expression of p97/VCP has been reported and targeting of p97/VCP with its spesific inhibitors or siRNA's (siVCP) in cancer therapy was suggested. However, no study is avaible about the expression and function of p97/VCP in gestational choriocarcinoma. Hence, the aim of the study was to evaluate effects of p97/VCP inhibitor, DBeQ and siVCP on choriocarcinoma cells. We use human placental choriocarcinoma cell line (Jeg3) as model to find out the effects of DBeQ and VCP siRNA's (siVCP) on apoptotic and autophagic pathway by immunflouroscence staining, Western blotting, qPCR and flow-cytometry. p97/VCP siRNA's and DBeQ induced accumulation of autophagic proteins, LC3II and p62 in the cytoplasm of Jeg3 cells detected. Concurrently, Jeg3 cells treated with DBeQ and siVCP demonstrated G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, accompanied by accumulation of poly-ubiquitinated proteins. Moreover, disruption of p97/VCP by siRNA and DBeQ inhibited cancer cell growth managing the caspases-3 and -7. Our results show that inhibition of p97/VCP activity with DBeQ and depletion of p97/VCP expression with siRNA in Jeg3 cells induce caspase activation, inhibits cell proliferation and leads to a defect in autophagosome maturation, thus providing potential target for the prevention and treatment of choriocarcinoma.

Treatment of high-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia and chemoresistance/relapsed disease

High-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) has an increased risk of developing chemoresistance to single-agent chemotherapy; therefore, the primary treatment should be a multiagent etoposide-based regimen, preferably EMA/CO. After remission (normalization of human chorionic gonadotropin - hCG), at least three consolidation courses of EMA-CO are needed to reduce the risk of relapse. Chemoresistance is diagnosed during treatment if hCG levels plateau/increase, in two consecutive values over a two-week period. When this occurs after remission, in the absence of a new pregnancy, there is a relapse. In both cases, after re-assessment of the extent of disease, EMA-EP is the most common chemotherapy choice. Even in these cases, remission rates are high. After remission is achieved, hCG should be measured monthly for a year. Pregnancy can be allowed after 12 months from remission. The follow-up of these patients in referral centers minimizes the chance of death from this disease and should be encouraged.

Gestational Trophoblastic Disease: Current Evaluation and Management

This review summarizes the current evaluation and management of gestational trophoblastic disease, including evacuation of hydatidiform moles, surveillance after evacuation of hydatidiform mole and the diagnosis and management of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. Most women with gestational trophoblastic disease can be successfully managed with preservation of reproductive function. It is important to manage molar pregnancies properly to minimize acute complications and to identify gestational trophoblastic neoplasia promptly. Current International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics guidelines for making the diagnosis and staging of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia allow uniformity for reporting results of treatment. It is important to individualize treatment based on their risk factors, using less toxic therapy for patients with low-risk disease and aggressive multiagent therapy for patients with high-risk disease. Patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia should be managed in consultation with an individual experienced in the complex, multimodality treatment of these patients.

Thoracoscopic Surgery to Treat Lung Metastases from Refractory Choriocarcinoma

Purpose

To assess the use of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery to treat lung metastases from refractory choriocarcinoma.

Patients and Methods

We reviewed patients diagnosed with refractory choriocarcinoma who underwent lung resection by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery combined with chemotherapy between October 2013 and August 2019 at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital. The surgical records, pathologic findings and survival rates were analyzed.

Results

The study included 73 patients who underwent 78 thoracoscopic surgeries. Most patients underwent lobectomy (48.7%), and 17 patients (21.8%) underwent resection of more than one lobe. The median operation time and bleeding volume were 95 minutes and 50 mL, respectively. The median duration of chest tube use and hospital stay were 3 days and 4 days, respectively. Postoperative complications were documented in 6 patients (7.7%). The thoracic lymph nodes were harvested in 51 patients (65.4%), but none of these patients had positive nodes. A total of 69.2% of the patients had positive pathologic findings. The mean follow-up time was 30 months. During follow-up, 11 patients experienced disease relapse, and 2 of them died because of brain metastasis. The overall disease-free rate was 83.6%, and the survival rate was 97.0% after excluding those lost to follow-up. Patients with decreased postoperative β-hCG showed a higher disease-free rate during follow up (P<0.05).

Conclusion

The minimally invasive video-assisted thoracoscopic approach is a valuable and safe treatment for refractory choriocarcinoma patients with lung metastases. Lymphadenectomy is not suggested for these patients. Patients with decreased postoperative β-hCG levels may achieve a much better prognostic result.

A pilot randomized controlled clinical trial of second uterine curettage versus usual care to determine the effect of re-curettage on patients' need for chemotherapy among women with low risk, nonmetastatic gestational trophoblastic neoplasm in Urmia, Iran

Objective

The objective of this study was to determine if second curettage was associated with a decreased need for the number of chemotherapy treatments compared to usual care.

Methods

A pilot randomized controlled clinical trial was designed at Motahhari Referral Hospital in 2014. Fifty-two patients with low risk, nonmetastatic gestational trophoblastic neoplasm were assigned randomly to two arms. The interventional arm included a repeat uterine curettage, and the control group received standard care (chemotherapy). All participants were followed periodically over 6 months. Primary outcome was defined as the number of chemotherapy courses in each arm. Student’s t-test and receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve were applied for statistical analysis as appropriate.

Results

Fifty percent of participants who underwent re-curettage did respond to intervention with no further chemotherapy after 6 months of follow-up. The intervention arm had higher number of remissions without chemotherapy compared to those who received usual care. In the subgroup analysis, the ROC curve could predict the re-curettage treatment response by beta human chorionic gonadotropin (BhCG) level significantly. No complications were reported in the intervention arm.

Conclusion

Second curettage is an alternative effective procedure to decrease the need for chemotherapy among patients with low risk, nonmetastatic gestational trophoblastic neoplasm. Further clinical trials with larger sample size may be needed to determine the effective role of second curettage among patients.

Antagonism of EG-VEGF Receptors as Targeted Therapy for Choriocarcinoma Progression In Vitro and In Vivo

Purpose: Choriocarcinoma (CC) is the most malignant gestational trophoblastic disease that often develops from complete hydatidiform moles (CHM). Neither the mechanism of CC development nor its progression is yet characterized. We recently identified endocrine gland-derived vascular endothelial growth factor (EG-VEGF) as a novel key placental growth factor that controls trophoblast proliferation and invasion. EG-VEGF acts via two receptors, PROKR1 and PROKR2. Here, we demonstrate that EG-VEGF receptors can be targeted for CC therapy.Experimental Design: Three approaches were used: (i) a clinical investigation comparing circulating EG-VEGF in control (n = 20) and in distinctive CHM (n = 38) and CC (n = 9) cohorts, (ii) an in vitro study investigating EG-VEGF effects on the CC cell line JEG3, and (iii) an in vivo study including the development of a novel CC mouse model, through a direct injection of JEG3-luciferase into the placenta of gravid SCID-mice.Results: Both placental and circulating EG-VEGF levels were increased in CHM and CC (×5) patients. EG-VEGF increased JEG3 proliferation, migration, and invasion in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) culture systems. JEG3 injection in the placenta caused CC development with large metastases compared with their injection into the uterine horn. Treatment of the animal model with EG-VEGF receptor's antagonists significantly reduced tumor development and progression and preserved pregnancy. Antibody-array and immunohistological analyses further deciphered the mechanism of the antagonist's actions.Conclusions: Our work describes a novel preclinical animal model of CC and presents evidence that EG-VEGF receptors can be targeted for CC therapy. This may provide safe and less toxic therapeutic options compared with the currently used multi-agent chemotherapies. Clin Cancer Res; 23(22); 7130-40. ©2017 AACR.

Second Curettage for Low-Risk Nonmetastatic Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of second uterine curettage in lieu of chemotherapy for patients with low-risk, nonmetastatic gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) and to evaluate whether response to second curettage is independent of patient age, World Health Organization (WHO) risk score, registration human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) level, lesion size, and depth of myometrial invasion measured on ultrasound examination.

METHODS

This was a cooperative group multicenter prospective phase II study. Prestudy testing included quantitative hCG level, pelvic ultrasonography, and chest radiography. Patients were categorized according to WHO risk scoring criteria (low risk with a score of 0-6).

RESULTS

Sixty-four women with newly diagnosed low-risk, nonmetastatic GTN were enrolled. Four patients were excluded. Twenty-four patients (40%) (lower 95% confidence limit 27.6%) were cured after second curettage. An additional two patients (3%) achieved a complete response but did not complete follow-up. Overall, 26 of 60 patients were able to avoid chemotherapy. Surgical failure was observed in 34 women (59%) and was more common in women 19 years old or younger or 40 years old or older. One case of grade 1 uterine perforation was successfully managed by observation. Four grade 1 and one grade 3 uterine hemorrhages were reported. New metastatic disease (lung) was identified in one of these women after second curettage. In three patients (surgical failures), the second curettage pathology was placental site trophoblastic tumor, and it was placental nodule in one additional patient.

CONCLUSION

Second uterine curettage as initial treatment for low-risk, nonmetastatic GTN cures 40% of patients without significant morbidity.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov, https://clinicaltrials.gov/, NCT00521118.

Perimenopausal invasive hyadatidiform mole treated by total abdominal hysterectomy followed by chemotherapy

Gestational trophoblastic neoplasias (GTNs) are rare tumors that constitute <1% of all gynecological malignancies. GTNs in postmenopausal women are rare and usually malignant. We present a rare case of an invasive mole of the uterus with metastasis to the right ovary and labium minus treated by total abdominal hysterectomy followed by chemotherapy.

Gestational and Non-gestational Trophoblastic Disease. Guideline of the DGGG, OEGGG and SGGG (S2k Level, AWMF Registry No. 032/049, December 2015)

Purpose: The aim was to establish an official interdisciplinary guideline, published and coordinated by the German Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGGG). The guideline was developed for use in German-speaking countries. In addition to the Germany Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the guideline has also been approved by the Swiss Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (SGGG) and the Austrian Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (OEGGG). The aim was to standardize diagnostic procedures and the management of gestational and non-gestational trophoblastic disease in accordance with the principles of evidence-based medicine, drawing on the current literature and the experience of the colleagues involved in compiling the guideline. Methods: This s2k guideline represents the consensus of a representative panel of experts with a range of different professional backgrounds commissioned by the DGGG. Following a review of the international literature and international guidelines on trophoblastic tumors, a structural consensus was achieved in a formalized, multi-step procedure. This was done using uniform definitions, objective assessments, and standardized management protocols. Recommendations: The recommendations of the guideline cover the epidemiology, classification and staging of trophoblastic tumors; the measurement of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels in serum, and the diagnosis, management, and follow-up of villous trophoblastic tumors (e.g., partial mole, hydatidiform mole, invasive mole) and non-villous trophoblastic tumors (placental site nodule, exaggerated placental site, placental site tumor, epitheloid trophoblastic tumor, and choriocarcinoma).

Role of surgical therapy in the management of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia

Objective

To evaluate the role of adjuvant surgical procedures in the management of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN).

Methods

In a retrospective review of medical records at the Severance Hospital, we identified 174 patients diagnosed with GTN between 1986 and 2006. Of the 174 patients, 129 (74%) were assigned to the nonmetastatic group, and 45 (26%) to the metastatic group; of the metastatic group patients, 6 were in the low-risk group and 39 were in the high-risk group. Thirty-two patients underwent 35 surgical procedures as part of the GTN treatment. The procedures included hysterectomy, lung resection, craniotomy, uterine wedge resection, uterine suturing for bleeding, salpingo-oophorectomy, pretherapy dilatation and curettage, adrenalectomy, nephrectomy, and uterine artery embolization.

Results

Of the 32 patients who underwent surgical procedures, 28 (87%) survived. Eleven patients underwent surgery for chemoresistant disease after receiving one or more chemotherapy regimens. Twelve patients underwent procedures to control tumor hemorrhage. Nine (81%) of 11 patients with chemoresistant disease survived, and 8 patients who underwent salvage surgery for chemoresistant disease received further chemotherapy. Of 21 patients who underwent hysterectomy, 19 (90%) achieved remission. All of three patients who had resistant foci of choriocarcinoma in the lung achieved remission through pulmonary resection.

Conclusion

Adjuvant surgical procedures, especially hysterectomy and pulmonary resection for chemoresistant disease, as well as procedures to control hemorrhage, are pivotal in the management of GTN.

Establishment of a choriocarcinoma model from immortalized normal extravillous trophoblast cells transduced with HRASV12

Gestational choriocarcinoma is a malignant trophoblastic tumor. The development of novel molecular-targeted therapies is needed to reduce the toxicity of current multiagent chemotherapy and to treat successfully the chemoresistant cases. The molecular mechanisms underlying choriocarcinoma tumorigenesis remain uncharacterized, however, and appropriate choriocarcinoma animal models have not yet been developed. In this study, we established a choriocarcinoma model by inoculating mice with induced-choriocarcinoma cell-1 (iC³-1) cells, generated from HTR8/SVneo human trophoblastic cells retrovirally transduced with activated H-RAS (HRASV12). The iC³-1 cells exhibited constitutive activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathways and developed into lethal tumors in all inoculated mice. Histopathological analysis revealed that the tumors consisted of two distinct types of cells, reminiscent of syncytiotrophoblasts and cytotrophoblasts, as seen in the human choriocarcinoma. The tumors expressed HLA-G and cytokeratin (trophoblast markers) and hCG (a choriocarcinoma marker). Comparative analysis of gene expression profiles between iC³-1 cells and parental HTR8/SVneo cells revealed that iC³-1 cells expressed matrix metalloproteinases, epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related genes, and SOX3 at higher levels than parental trophoblastic cells. Administration of SOX3-specific short-hairpin RNA decreased SOX3 expression and attenuated the tumorigenic activity of iC³-1 cells, suggesting that SOX3 overexpression might be critically involved in the pathogenesis of choriocarcinoma. Our murine model represents a potent new tool for studying the pathogenesis and treatment of choriocarcinoma.

The role of surgery and radiation therapy in the management of gestational trophoblastic disease

The primary management of hydatidiform moles remains surgical evacuation followed by human chorionic gonadotropin level monitoring. Although suction dilatation and evacuation is the most frequent technique for molar evacuation, hysterectomy is a viable option in older patients who do not wish to preserve fertility. Despite advances in chemotherapy regimens for treating malignant gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, hysterectomy and other extirpative procedures continue to play a role in the management of patients with both low-risk and high-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. Primary hysterectomy can reduce the amount of chemotherapy required to treat low-risk disease, whereas surgical resections, including hysterectomy, pulmonary resections, and other extirpative procedures, can be invaluable for treating highly selected patients with persistent, drug-resistant disease. Radiation therapy is also often incorporated into the multimodality therapy of patients with high-risk metastatic disease. This review discusses the indications for and the role of surgical interventions during the management of women with hydatidiform moles and malignant gestational trophoblastic neoplasia and reviews the use of radiation therapy in the treatment of women with malignant gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.

A comparison of patients with relapsed and chemo-refractory gestational trophoblastic neoplasia

The majority of women requiring chemotherapy for gestational trophoblastic disease (GTN) are cured with their initial chemotherapy treatment. However, a small percentage either become refractory to treatment, or relapse after the completion of treatment. This study investigates the characteristics and outcome of these patients. Patients were identified from the Charing Cross Hospital GTD database. The outcome of these patients with relapsed disease was compared to those with refractory disease. Between 1980 and 2004, 1708 patients were treated with chemotherapy for GTN. Sixty (3.5%) patents relapsed following completion of initial therapy. The overall 5-year survival for patients with relapsed GTN was 93% (95% CI 86-100%). The overall survival for patients with low-risk and high-risk disease at presentation, who subsequently relapsed was 100% (n=35), and 84% (n=25) (95% CI: 66-96%: P<0.05), respectively. Eleven patients were identified who failed to enter remission and had refractory disease. These patients had a worse outcome compared to patients with relapsed disease (5-year survival 43% (95% CI:12-73% P<0.01)). The outcome of patients with relapsed GTN is good. However, patients with primary chemo-refractory disease do poorly and novel therapies are required for this group of patients.

The prognosis of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia patient with residual lung tumor after completing treatment

OBJECTIVE

To analyze retrospectively the prognosis of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) patients who achieved normal beta-hCG titer after completing treatment but remained with residual lung tumor.

METHOD

A total of 1,130 GTN patients were hospitalized at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 1985 to January 2004. Among these patients, 901 achieved complete remission (CR); 152 achieved normal blood beta-hCG titer after the completion of treatment but remained with residual lung tumor (defined as partial remission). Retrospective analyses were carried out on the 152 patients. Statistical analysis was used to compare the recurrent rate of the CR patients with the progression rate of the 152 patients.

RESULT

17 of the 152 patients lost follow-up. Of the rest 135 patients followed up from 14 to 110 months, 83 showed no significant changes as to their residual tumors; 46 patients' residual tumors diminished or disappeared; and the other 6 patients got progression of disease (PD), with beta-hCG level going up 6-8 months after completing treatment. There is no significant statistical difference (P > 0.05) between the recurrent rate of the 901 CR patients and the progression rate of the 152 patients. There is also no significant statistical difference (P > 0.05) between the recurrent rate of the CR patients with lung metastasis and the progression rate of the 152 patients.

CONCLUSION

After achieving normal beta-hCG titer, patients whose lung tumor stayed unchanged even following several additional courses of chemotherapy should be considered as CR patients. Follow-ups should be strictly carried out on these patients, especially at around 6 months after the completion of treatment, and particularly for high-risk and drug-resistant choriocarcinoma (CC) patients.

Présentation inhabituelle d'un choriocarcinome gestationnel

Gestational choriocarcinoma is a rare malignant tumour with a strong metastatic potential. We report a case of a 31-year-old patient with a gestational trophoblastic tumor revealed by renal and pulmonary metastases, one year after a normal pregnancy. The diagnosis was established by the pathologist on the radical nephrectomy specimen. The evolution was quickly favorable after adequate treatment using multiagent chemotherapy. This case highlights the polymorphic aspects of the gestational choriocarcinoma and stresses the importance of a betaHCG assessment anytime abnormal symptoms occur in the outcome of a pregnancy.

Gestational trophoblastic disease

This review summarizes the primary management of molar pregnancies, surveillance after evacuation, and the evaluation and management of malignant gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). Most women with gestational trophoblastic disease can be successfully managed with preservation of their normal reproductive function. It is important to manage molar pregnancies properly to minimize acute complications and identify malignant sequelae promptly. Current International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) guidelines for making the diagnosis and staging of GTN allow uniformity for reporting results of treatment. It is important to individualize treatment for women with malignant GTN based upon risk factors, using less toxic therapy for patients with low-risk disease and aggressive multiagent therapy for those with high-risk disease. Patients with malignant GTN should be managed in consultation with an individual experienced in the complex, multimodality treatment of these patients.

[Place of surgery in the management of gestational trophoblastic tumors]

Gestational trophoblastic tumors are authentic malignant tumors of the conception. They are mostly chemosensitive. For young women, the place of the surgery seems now restricted and more and more codified. Hysterectomy keeps a certain interest for women who do not wish to preserve their fertility. Hysterectomy limits then the complications of chemotherapy. It optimizes the chances of recovery without recurrence. If chemotherapy must nevertheless be carried out, hysterectomy decreases the necessary number of cures to obtain complete remission of the disease. Surgery is also indispensable to chemoresistant tumors. It allows exeresis of localized residual sites or isolated metastases. Other indications for surgery include uncontrollable vaginal or intra-abdominal bleedings and placental site trophoblastic tumors.

Evolution of treatment of high-risk metastatic gestational trophoblastic tumors: Ain Shams University experience

The aim of the current study is to evaluate the different treatment modalities used in the management of high-risk metastatic gestational trophoblastic tumors (GTT) between June 1992 and December 2004 at the Gynecologic Oncology Unit, Ain Shams University. Out of 261 patients diagnosed and treated for GTT, 70 (26.8%) were high risk metastatic patients based on the National Institutes of Health clinical classification. The mean age was 29.39 +/- 9.38 years (16-55 years), with six patients (8.6%) being older than 39 years, and the mean duration of follow-up was 79.74 +/- 40.44 months (6-157 months). Forty patients (57.14%) were diagnosed after molar pregnancy, 22 (31.43%) after abortion, and 8 (11.43%) after term pregnancy. Forty-two patients (60%) were diagnosed within 4 months of the occurrence of the disease, and 28 (40%) were diagnosed after more than 4 months. Sixty-seven patients were treated using different regimens according to the protocol of treatment at that time. The MAC regimen was used initially but has been subsequently abandoned in favor of EMA-CO (etoposide, methotrexate, dactinomycin, cyclophosphamide, and vincristine [Oncovin]) regimen, which was later modified by omitting the CO arm to decrease its toxicity. If resistance developed, platinum-based therapy was given in the form of EMA-EP. Recently, our unit incorporated paclitaxel in the third-line treatment. Surgical intervention was used selectively. Fifty-seven (81.4%) patients could be cured; 43 by initial chemotherapy, with a mean of 7 +/- 0.46 courses (6-15), and 14 were salvaged by second- or third-line chemotherapy. Fourteen patients (20%) died during the study period; one was unrelated to GTT, while three died of acute respiratory distress syndrome before instituting proper therapy and two died of treatment complications. Using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses, the presence of brain and/or liver metastases was found to be the worst prognostic variable affecting the survival, followed by resistance to combination chemotherapy and then the type of antecedent pregnancy. The projected 5-year survival as estimated by Kaplan-Meier method was 78%.

The curative effect of a second curettage in persistent trophoblastic disease: a retrospective cohort survey

OBJECTIVE

To assess the curative effect of a second curettage in patients with low-risk Persistent Trophoblastic Disease (PTD) after molar pregnancy.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort survey was performed on 2122 patients registered with the Dutch Central Registry for Hydatidiform Moles between 1987 and 2003. Of these, 422 patients developed PTD. For various reasons, 128 patients were excluded. The study group comprised 85 patients with, according to the Dutch guidelines, low-risk PTD who underwent a second therapeutic curettage as a part of the treatment for PTD. The control group consisted of 209 patients with low-risk PTD who did not undergo a second curettage. Patients in the study and control group were classified for high/low-risk PTD according to the internationally accepted FIGO 2000 guidelines. Primary outcome measures were the need for chemotherapy and if applicable, the number of chemotherapy courses.

RESULTS

After second curettage, eight out of 85 patients (9.4%) did not need additional chemotherapy which significantly differs from the 209 patients in the control group who all needed chemotherapy (P < 0.001). A debulking effect of the second curettage was observed: a median of 6 courses (interquartile range 3 courses) in the control group versus 5 courses (interquartile range 3 courses) in the study group (P = 0.036). Four out of the 85 (4.8%) patients with a second curettage had a major complication (uterine perforation or hemorrhage), which was managed conservatively.

CONCLUSION

A second curettage cured 9.4% of patients with PTD in this historical cohort and reduces the number of courses of chemotherapy. A second curettage seems to benefit only a limited number of patients with PTD. A randomized controlled prospective trial is needed to confirm this observation.