molar pregnancy

The hydatidiform moles are one of the most common but benign forms of gestational trophoblastic disease.

Epidemiology

Hydatidiform moles are one of the common complications of gestation, estimated to occur in one of every 1,000-2,000 pregnancies . These moles can occur in a pregnant woman of any age, but the rate of occurrence is higher in pregnant women in their teens or between the ages of 40-50 years. There is a relatively increased prevalence in Asia (for example compared with Europe).

Pathology

Subtypes

A hydatidiform mole can either be complete or partial. The absence or presence of a fetus or embryo is used to distinguish the complete from partial moles:

• complete moles are associated with the absence of a fetus
• partial moles usually occur with an abnormal fetus or may even be associated with fetal demise

Rarely, moles co-exist with a normal pregnancy (co-existent molar pregnancy), in which a normal fetus and placenta are seen separate from the molar gestation.

Chromosomal composition

Ninety percent of complete hydatidiform moles have a 46XX diploid chromosomal pattern. All the chromosomes are derived from a single sperm in 90% or less likely two sperms, suggesting fertilization of a single egg that has lost its chromosomes.

With partial moles, the karyotype is usually triploid (69XXY), the result of fertilization of a normal egg by two sperm, one bearing a 23X chromosomal pattern and the other a 23Y chromosomal pattern.

Location

Complete hydatidiform moles usually occupy the uterine cavity and are rarely located in fallopian tubes or ovaries.

The chorionic villi are converted into a mass of clear vesicles that resemble a cluster of grapes.

Markers

In the classic case of molar pregnancy, quantitative analysis of beta-HCG shows hormone levels in both blood and urine greatly exceeding those produced in normal pregnancy at the same stage.

Radiographic features

Please refer to the dedicated articles for discussion on the radiographic features:

• complete mole
• partial mole

Treatment and prognosis

A complete mole can progress to invasive mole (~15%) or to gestational choriocarcinoma (~7%).

See also

• molar pregnancy

Siehe auch:

• gestational trophoblastic disease
• complete hydatidiform mole
• partial hydatidiform mole
• gestational choriocarcinoma
• invasive mole
• bunch of grapes
• mesenchymale Dysplasie der Plazenta
• ovarian theca lutein cysts
• abnormal high beta-HCG level
• co-existant molar pregnancy

und weiter:

• Hyperöstrogenismus
• differential diagnosis of an enlarged uterus
• complete mole
• intra-uterine blood clot
• abnormally thickened endometrium
• hydatid
• Chorioangiom der Plazenta
• coexistant molar pregnancy