Molar Pregnancy

Question 1

What is a molar pregnancy?

Answer 1

• a hydatidiform mole is a type of tumour that grows like a pregnancy inside the uterus
• it can be a partial mole or complete mole

Question 2

What is a complete mole and how is it formed?

Answer 2

• occurs when 2 sperm cells fertilise an empty ovum that contains no genetic material
• the sperm cells combine genetic material
• the cells start to divide + grow

!! NO FETAL MATERIAL FORMS !!

Question 3

What is a partial mole and how does it form?

Answer 3

• occurs when 2 sperm cells fertilise a normal ovum at the same time
• the cell has 3 sets of chromosomes (haploid)
• the cell divides and multiplies into a tumour

!! MAY CONTAIN SOME FETAL MATERIAL !!

Question 4

How does a molar pregnancy behave?

Answer 4

• it behaves like a normal pregnancy
• periods will stop + hormonal changes of pregnancy will occur

Question 5

In what ways is a molar pregnancy different to a normal pregnancy?

Answer 5

• more severe morning sickness
• vaginal bleeding
• increased enlargement of the uterus
• abnormally high hCG
• thyrotoxicosis

Question 6

Why does thyrotoxicosis occur in molar pregnancy?

Answer 6

• hCG can mimic TSH
• this stimulates the thyroid to produce excess T3 and T4

Question 7

How is molar pregnancy diagnosed?

Answer 7

pelvic USS

• characteristic “snowstorm” appearance
• diagnosis is confirmed with histology of the mole after evacuation

Question 8

What is involved in the management of a molar pregnancy?

Answer 8

evacuation of the uterus

• after the mole is removed, the products of conception are sent for histological examination to confirm molar pregnancy