Hydatidiform mole (Molar pregnancy)

Question 1

what is a hydatidiform mole?

Answer 1

A noncancerous tumor that develops in the uterus as a result of a nonviable pregnancy.

Question 2

Can it turn malignant?

Answer 2

yes

Question 3

what do the vesicles resemble?

Answer 3

grape-like clusters

Question 4

How does this start?

Answer 4

just like any other pregnancy
A molar pregnancy starts when an egg is fertilized, but instead of a normal, viable pregnancy resulting, the placenta develops into an abnormal mass of cysts.

Question 5

S/S:

The___ enlarges too fast

_____ of fetal heart tones

does bleeding occur sometimes?

Answer 5

• uterus
• absence
• yes

Question 6

How is a hydatidiform mole confirmed?

Answer 6

with an ultrasound

Question 7

How is this treated?

Answer 7

dilatation and curratage

Question 8

if the mole becomes malignant, what is it called?

Answer 8

Choreocarcinoma

Question 9

after removal of the mole, can this mommy try and get pregnant right away? why?

Answer 9

NO! they cannot get pregnant during the follow up period.

• because pregnancy = increased hCG levels,

and malignancy = increased hCg levels too… we don’t want to confuse things.

Question 10

why would a chest xray be done?

Answer 10

to determine metastasis of choreocarcinoma

Question 11

after removal of the mole, what will be checked weekly until normal?

when it becomes normal, how often will it be rechecked?

after that?

Answer 11

hCG levels

• Q 2-4 weeks
• Q 1-2 months for 6 months to a year