[Current diagnosis and therapy of gestational trophoblastic tumors: experience with 24 patients]

Observation of 24 gestational trophoblastic tumors, i.e. 20 hydatidiform moles, 1 invasive hydatidiform mole, 1 non-metastatic and 2 metastatic choriocarcinomas, is reported. The diagnoses were based on case record data, clinical findings, echography and radioimmunoassay of human gonadotropin (HCG). The therapy was oriented towards maintaining fertility in reproductive women. For treatment with cytostatic drugs the patients were allocated to a low risk and a high risk group according to history, diagnosis and former therapy, and an appropriate mono- or combined therapy was started. 17 of 24 patients were cured by surgery in an initial therapy phase. 7 tumors were progressive, 6 of which responded to secondary surgical or cytostatic treatment. One patient died from metastases of choriocarcinoma. The total cure rate of 96% was rendered possible by regular follow-up including bimanual palpation, echography, HCG-assay and chest X-rays.