Gestational trophoblastic disease in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

A retrospective study was performed at Port Moresby General Hospital covering the period 1.1.81-31.3.86. There were 37 cases of hydatidiform mole, 2 of choriocarcinoma and 4 of metastasizing gestational trophoblastic disease of unknown histology, During the study period there were 35,630 deliveries in the same hospital. The incidence of hydatidiform mole was found to be 1:963 deliveries. Among the patients with hydatidiform mole 1 death was recorded whilst in the group with choriocarcinoma and unclassified disease there were 4 deaths. Of the patients treated for hydatidiform mole 48.5% made no follow-up visits to the hospital.