MALIGNANT GESTATIONAL TROPHOBLASTIC DISEASE Flashcards
What is the classification of malignant gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN)?
Choriocarcinoma, persistent hydatidiform mole, invasive mole, and placental-site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT).
List the risk factors for malignant GTD requiring chemotherapy.
Older age (≥40 years), preceding molar pregnancy, large tumor size (>5cm), high hCG levels (>10^5 miu/L), previous chemotherapy, and metastases.
What is the role of the WHO prognostic scoring system in GTD?
It classifies GTD into low-risk (score 0-7) and high-risk (score >7) groups.
Define choriocarcinoma.
A rapidly growing, invasive pregnancy-related tumor originating from trophoblast cells.
What are the histopathological findings in choriocarcinoma?
Dimorphic cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast populations, myometrial invasion, prominent necrosis, and hemorrhage.
Describe the FIGO anatomic staging for choriocarcinoma.
Stage 1: Uterine involvement; Stage 2: Vaginal metastases; Stage 3: Lung metastases; Stage 4: Distant metastases.
What are the common clinical presentations of choriocarcinoma?
Irregular vaginal bleeding, metastatic symptoms (e.g., breathlessness, CNS disturbances, epigastric pain).
How is choriocarcinoma diagnosed?
High β-hCG levels and persistent bleeding after pregnancy.
What is the normal timeline for hCG to return to baseline after different pregnancy outcomes?
H. Mole: 84-100 days; Artificial abortion: 30 days; Spontaneous abortion: 19 days; Normal delivery: 12 days; Ectopic pregnancy: 8-9 days.
List the investigations necessary for GTN diagnosis and management.
FBC, RFT, LFT, HIV, CXR, USS, CT/MRI, brain imaging, and serial β-hCG levels.
What is the mainstay of treatment for GTN?
Chemotherapy is the primary treatment.
Name commonly used chemotherapy drugs for GTN.
Methotrexate, Actinomycin D, 5-Fluorouracil, Vincristine, Cyclophosphamide, Etoposide.
What distinguishes low-risk from high-risk GTN?
Low-risk: Single-agent therapy; High-risk: Multi-agent therapy (EMA-CO regimen).
What are the principles of chemotherapy for GTN?
Low-risk patients receive single-agent; high-risk patients receive multi-agent therapy.
What is the role of follow-up monitoring in GTN treatment?
Regular β-hCG monitoring and additional chemotherapy courses after normalization.
Why is hCG follow-up critical after hysterectomy for GTN?
To detect and manage potential metastases.
What are the surgical options for GTN management?
Hysterectomy, arterial ligation, embolization, and metastatic lesion removal.
Define an invasive mole.
A hydatidiform mole with villi penetrating deeply into the myometrium or blood vessels.
What are the clinical features of an invasive mole?
Vaginal bleeding, intraperitoneal bleeding, uterine subinvolution, pelvic pain.
How is an invasive mole diagnosed?
Persistent high β-hCG levels and imaging findings.