Complete and partial hydatidiform moles: cytogenetic and morphological aspects.

Abstract

Although records of molar pregnancies reach back to antiquity, the fetal origin of hydatidiform moles was established only at the end of the last century. The elucidation of the relationship with choriocarcinoma as well as the occurrence of nongestational cancers followed during the next decade (1). Several generations later, many of the mysteries still remain, but new insights in the field of trophoblastic disease are now being gained rapidly, mainly through the study of the chromosomal composition of hydatidiform moles. The latter inquiry into correlation with morphology has allowed the delineation of at least two distinct molar syndromes: the complete, diploid, androgenetic mole of a 46,XX or 46,XY karyotype without an embryo/fetus; and the partial mole with a fetus and a 69,XXY, XXX, or XYY karyotype. Only the classic, complete mole retains at present a known association with chorionic cancer.