BACKGROUND Indications for chemotherapy in gestational trophoblastic disease include raised human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) concentrations 6 months after uterine evacuation of hydatidiform mole, even when values are falling. We aimed to establish whether chemotherapy is always necessary in these patients. METHODS We retrospectively identified women registered between January, 1993, and May...

The abnormal pregnancies complete and partial hydatidiform mole are genetically unusual, being associated with two copies of the paternal genome. Typical moles (CHMs) diploid androgenetic, while (PHMs) diandric triploids. While diagnosis can usually be made on basis morphology, ancillary techniques that exploit their unusual genetic origin used to facilitate diagnosis. Genotyping p57 immunostai...

Invasive mole also known as chorioadenoma destruens comprises about 15 % of all gestational trophoblastic neoplasia [1]. It is a trophoblastic tumor characterized by myometrial invasion by direct extension or through venous channels. The most common presenting symptom is vaginal bleeding (97 %) [2]. The diagnosis is usually suggested after a hydatidiform mole is removed and bhCG remains elevate...

A twin pregnancy with a complete hydatidiform mole and a coexisting normal fetus (CHMF) is a rare clinical scenario, and it carries many associated pregnancy and postnatal risks. Limited numbers of case studies exist reporting an outcome of live birth, and only three prior cases report the presentation of a hydatidiform mole as a placenta previa. We report a case of CHMF with the molar componen...

Prostaglandins may occupy an important role in viral and chemical carcinogen-induced neoplasia. To evaluate the pos sible role of prostaglandin catabolism in neoplastic cells, we measured nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent 15hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase activity in hydatidiform mole tissue and in choriocarcinoma cells maintained in monolayer culture. The specific activity of nico...

Masaharu Fukunaga, M.D. Department of Pathology, the Jikei University Daisan Hospital, Tokyo, Japan Hydatidiform moles With the increased use of ultrasound hydatidiform mole (HM) is being diagnosed at increasingly early stages of gestation. As villous edema is not fully developed, we cannot make a diagnosis of HM by macroscopic observation. Furthermore, microscopically the classic features of c...