Classification and etiologies of gestational trophoblastic disease

Abstract

Various forms of trophoblastic diseases were reported in the literature, including complete and partial of hydatidiform moles, gestational choriocarcinomas, placental-site and epitheloid trophoblastic tumors. Among patients who suffer from hydatidiform mole, gestational trophoblastic neoplasia can be easily diagnosed by using the levels of the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Therefore, complex investigations are not usually necessary in measuring the levels of hCG, physical examination and assessments. In addition, patients’ medical history can help the attending physicians to draw an adequate treatment plan for patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. However, Pelvic Doppler ultrasonography might also be used for additional assessments, including the presence or absence of pregnancy, measurement of the uterine volume and size. Additionally, it determines the vasculature and spread of the neoplasm within the pelvic region. Furthermore, genetic analysis can be used to differentiate between the types of the disease. Moreover, among the reported staging and classification systems, the international federation of gynecology and obstetrics (FIGO) seems to be the best efficacious modality for the determination of the prognosis of the various types of the disease to properly choose the best treatment modality.