Gestational Trophoblastic Disease Flashcards
What diseases are included in gestational trophoblastic disease?
- Benign Hydatiform Mole: Complete or partial
- Invasive Mole: Can metastasize
- Choriocarcinoma
What do the moles and choriocarcinomas secrete?
B-HCG - Can be sky high
What basically is gestational trophoblastic disease?
Fertilization that has gone bad
What are the majority of hydatiform moles?
Complete
What happens in a complete hydatiform mole?
Fertilization of an “empty” egg by a haploid sperm which duplicates its chromosomes
What is the karyotype of a complete mole normally?
46XX with both X paternally derived
-Rarely 46XY
Are complete moles associated with a fetus?
Rarely
What is another word for a partial mole?
Incomplete mole
What do partial moles result from?
2 sperms fertilizing one egg
What % of moles are partial moles?
10%
That is the karyotype of a partial mole?
69XXY (80%) –> Extra paternal set
- Can be 69XXX
- Occasionally have a mosaic pattern
Do partial moles present with a coexisting fetus?
Often
What hCG level should you see something in the uterus?
1200…if nothing is there… think ectopic
What are 2 CA that cross the placenta?
- Choriocarcinoma
2. Melanoma
What is an invasive mole?
A locally invasive tumor
What % of GTD are invasive moles?
5-10%
Do invasive moles metastasize?
Rarely
If an invasive mole metastasizes, where does it go?
Vag or lungs… sometimes brain
What do invasive moles represent?
Majority of patients with persistent B-HCG elevations after molar evacuation
Why is it important to use a sharp currete and scrape uterus after a vacuum D&C?
If you leave tissue it can turn into a choriocarcinoma
What is a frankly malignant form of GTD?
Choriocarcinoma
How many patients with choriocarcinoma had a preceding molar pregnancy?
1/2
What is important to do with someone who had a molar pregnancy?
Follow their HCG levels to normal… which is under 2
-Basically just keep an eye on their labs
What have the other half of patients with choriocarcinoma have before?
Spontaneous or induced abortion, ectopic pregnancy, or normal pregnancy
How does choriocarcinoma disseminate?
Hematogenously
What is the fancy wording for cancer that can cross the placenta?
Placental-site trophoblastic tumor
What do placental-site trophoblastic tumors consist of?
Intermediate trophoblast and a few syncytial elements
What do placental-site trophoblastic tumors produce?
Small amounts of hCG and human placental lactogen
True or False: Placental-site trophoblastic tumors remain confined to the uterus?
True
Are placental-site trophoblastic tumors sensitive to chemo and do they metastasize?
Metastasize late in course and are insensitive to chemo