Gestational and nongestational trophoblastic neoplasia: a historic and pathobiologic survey

A peculiar fascination has existed with trophoblastic neoplasia as an entity from the earliest cognitive periods. An intensive level of controversy surrounded the question of histogenesis which was finally settled in the closing years of the 19th century as a neoplasm of fetally derived structures. It was appreciated that similar appearing tumors occurred in extrauterine sites and that males were also affected. The totipotential germ cell was suspected as the progenitor of these neoplasms. The purpose of this report is to review some of the milestone developments in our knowledge of gestational and nongestational trophoblastic tumors. In addition, the clinicopathologic features of these tumors and some problems in differential diagnosis are examined in the light of today's chemotherapeutic approach.