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Updated: Aug 9 2017

Hydatidiform Mole

Snapshot
  • A 21-year-old female presents at 10 weeks of gestation with uterine bleeding, pelvic pressure, and multiple episodes of non-bloody and non-bilious emesis. The patient has tried eating slowly with frequent small snacks, such as soda crackers. She describes the bleeding as "prune juice" like, but denies it being large-volume. On exam, the uterus is larger than gestational age. Appropriate imagine is obtained.
Introduction
  • A type of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD)
    • molar pregnancies are considered premalignant
      • when malignant, are termed gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN)
        • e.g., choriocarcinoma
      • originate in the placenta
        • has the potential to invade the uterus and metastasize
  • Hydatidiform mole (HM) can be divided into two types
    • complete HM (46,XX; 46,XY)
      • empty ovum being fertilized by a single sperm
        • resulting in duplication of paternal genetic material
    • partial HM (69,XXX; 69,XXY; 69,XYY)
      • normal ovum being fertilized by two sperm (usually)
  • Epidemiology
    • risk of malignancy
      • complete HM
        • 15-20%
        • 2% risk of choriocarcinoma
      • partial HM
        • < 5%
        • choriocarcinoma is rare
  • Risk factors
    • extremes of maternal reproductive age
    • prior history of molar pregnancy
Presentation
  • Symptoms
    • hyperemesis gravidarum
  • Physical symptoms
    • vaginal bleeding
    • enlarged uterus
    • pelvic discomfort
      • pain or pressure
Evaluation
  • ↑ β-hCG
    • complete HM > partial HM
  • Transvaginal ultrasound
    • complete HM
      • transvaginal ultrasound
        • "snow storm," "cluster of grapes," or "honeycomb" pattern in older sonograms
    • partial HM
      • transvaginal ultrasound
        • fetal parts
  • Uterine evacuation
    • both diagnostic and therapeutic
  • Chest radiography
    • should be obtained if patient presents with pulmonary symptoms
Differential
  • Normal pregnancy
  • Incomplete abortion
  • Missed abortion
  • Hyperthyroidism
Treatment
  • Uterine evacuation
    • dilation and curettage (preferred)
      • leads to pathologic evaluation to confirm the diagnosis
  • Rho(D) immune globulin
    • in mothers who are Rh-negative after surgical evacuation
  • Serial β-hCG levels
    • aids in the evaluation of post-molar hCG
Prognosis, Prevention, and Complications
  • Complications
    • hyperthyroidism
    • pregnancy-induced hypertension
    • malignant transformation
      • e.g., gestational choriocarcinoma
    • ovarian theca lutein cysts
    • acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
Question
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