GESTATIONAL TROPHOBLASTIC DISEASE

Course overview

GESTATIONAL TROPHOBLASTIC DISEASE (GTD) REFERS TO A GROUP OF TUMORS DEFINED BY ABNORMAL TROPHOBLASTIC PROLIFERATION. HISTOLOGICALLY, GTD IS DIVIDED INTO HYDATIDIFORM MOLES (CONTAINING VILLI) AND OTHER TROPHOBLASTIC NEOPLASMS (LACKING VILLI). THE NONMOLAR OR MALIGNANT FORMS OF GTD ARE CALLED GESTATIONAL TROPHOBLASTIC NEOPLASIA AND INCLUDE THE INVASIVE MOLE, CHORIOCARCINOMA, PLACENTAL-SITE TROPHOBLASTIC TUMOR, AND EPITHELIOID TROPHOBLASTIC TUMOR. THESE MALIGNANCIES CAN OCCUR WEEKS OR YEARS FOLLOWING ANY PREGNANCY BUT OCCUR MOST COMMONLY AFTER A MOLAR PREGNANCY. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE CAUSES AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF BENIGN GTD AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN ITS MANAGEMENT.