Clinicopathologic analysis of gestational trophoblastic disease--report of 158 cases

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) forms a heterogeneous pool of clinically and histopathologically defined entities with different malignant potential. The clinicopathologic characteristics of 158 cases, including 110 complete hydatidiform moles (CHM), 13 invasive moles, 32 choriocarcinomas, two placental site nodules and one placental site trophoblastic tumor are reported. Of all cases, 63.9% showed spontaneous regression after D&C. 36.1% resulted in a persistent or metastatic (11.4%) disease, including 12 CHM. Lung is found to be the most common site of metastasis (61%). The median time between antecedent pregnancy and GTD was 4.4 months. 44% had an antecedent CHM, 16% a term pregnancy. The median complete remission rate was 91.2% with 5.3% recurrent disease. Three women died. Eight patients received adjuvant surgical therapy for chemoresistant foci. In general, management of GTD is interdisciplinary with an emphasis placed on individualized treatment. In most cases, exact histopathologic diagnosis of the trophoblastic lesion remains the gold standard for guiding clinical therapy. Currently, there are no reliable genetic or molecular biologic markers predicting an aggressive behavior of CHM. Thus, all lesions should be followed by serial measurements of serum-HCG. All cases of persistent GTD should be treated in specialized centers.