Mental Representations of Illness in Patients with Gestational Trophoblastic Disease: How Do Patients Perceive Their Condition?

Valentina E Di Mattei,Rossella Di Pierro,Martina Mazzetti,Massimo Candiani,Martina Bernardi,Alice Bergamini,Giorgia Mangili,Letizia Carnelli,Lucio Sarno,Cheryl S Rosenfeld

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0153869

Abstract

BackgroundGestational Trophoblastic Disease comprises a group of benign and malignant disorders that derive from the placenta. Using Leventhal’s Common-Sense Model as a theoretical framework, this paper examines illness perception in women who have been diagnosed with this disease.MethodsThirty-one women diagnosed with Gestational Trophoblastic Disease in a hospital in Italy were asked to complete the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised to measure the following: illness Identity, illness opinions and causes of Gestational Trophoblastic Disease.ResultsHigh mean scores were observed in the Emotional representations and Treatment control subscales. A significant difference emerged between hydatidiform mole patients and those with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia on the Identity subscale. A significant correlation emerged between “time since diagnosis” and the Treatment control subscale.DiscussionThis study is the first to investigate illness perception in Gestational Trophoblastic Disease. From a clinical perspective the results highlight the need for multidisciplinary support programs to promote a more realistic illness perception.

Highlights

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) encompasses a group of disorders that derive from the placenta, including the premalignant complete and partial hydatidiform mole (HM), the malignant invasive mole (IM), choriocarcinoma (CCA), placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT) and epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT) [1]
In our sample women in general did not report an elevated number of symptoms, gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) patients presented a significantly stronger illness Identity compared to HM
Despite the significant emotional responses generated by GTD, regular support and communication offered by healthcare staff in our hospital seem to promote a Treatment control in patients that develops gradually over time

Summary

Introduction

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) encompasses a group of disorders that derive from the placenta, including the premalignant complete and partial hydatidiform mole (HM), the malignant invasive mole (IM), choriocarcinoma (CCA), placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT) and epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT) [1]. The malignant conditions are known as gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). Previously a lethal disease, GTD is presently considered one of the most curable gynecological cancers. This progress can be attributed to several factors including the high tumor chemosensitivity, the incorporation of aggressive multimodality therapy, the presence of a tumor marker; the beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG). Gestational Trophoblastic Disease comprises a group of benign and malignant disorders that derive from the placenta. Using Leventhal’s Common-Sense Model as a theoretical framework, this paper examines illness perception in women who have been diagnosed with this disease

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