Histopathologic study of partial hydatidiform moles and DNA triploid placentas

Sixty-two placentas with a triploid DNA content, which were analyzed by flow cytometry using paraffin-embedded tissues, were histologically investigated. These placentas were histologically classified as follows: 51 partial hydatidiform moles (PM), two hydropic abortuses and nine non-hydropic placentas. The DNA indices of the triploid peaks were between 1.41 and 1.60. Histologically, two populations of normal and edematous villi, vesicular villous edema with cistern formation, focal syncytiotrophoblastic hyperplasia with vacuolation, and villous scalloping with trophoblastic inclusion were almost always observed in the PM, but no single pathologic feature was specific for PM. The two entities, PM and triploid placenta, overlapped. Not all triploid gestations are PM and not all PM moles are triploid as shown in previously reported diploid or tetraploid PM. Although no patient with triploid PM developed persistent disease in this series, follow up of triploid PM is required as long as its true biological potential remains unclear. Flow cytometry is a reliable aid in the diagnosis of PM.