Multiple pregnancies with complete mole and coexisting normal fetus in North and South America: A retrospective multicenter cohort and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical characteristics of multiple gestation with complete mole and coexisting fetus (CHMCF) in North and South America. METHODS: Retrospective non-concurrent cohorts compromised of CHMCF from New England Trophoblastic Disease Center (NETDC) (1966-2015) and four Brazilian Trophoblastic Disease Centers (BTDC) (1990-2015). RESULTS: From a total of 12,455 cases of gestational trophoblastic disease seen, 72 CHMCF were identified. Clinical characteristics were similar between BTDC (n=46) and NETDC (n=13) from 1990 to 2015, apart from a much higher frequency of potentially life-threatening conditions in Brazil (p=0.046). There were no significant changes in the clinical presentation or outcomes over the past 5 decades in NETDC (13 cases in 1966-1989 vs 13 cases in 1990-2015). Ten pregnancies were electively terminated and 35 cases resulted in viable live births (60% of 60 continued pregnancies). The overall rate of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) was 46%; the cases which progressed to GTN presented with higher chorionic gonadotropin levels (p=0.026) and higher frequency of termination of pregnancy due to medical complications (p=0.006) when compared to those with spontaneous remission. CONCLUSIONS: The main regional difference in CHMCF presentation is related to a higher rate of potentially life-threatening conditions in South America. Sixty percent of the expectantly managed CHMCF delivered a viable infant, and the overall rate of GTN in this study was 46%. Elective termination of pregnancy did not influence the risk for GTN; however the need for termination due to complications and higher hCG levels were associated with development of GTN in CHMCF.

Sonographic appearance of an advanced invasive mole and associated metastatic thrombus in the inferior vena cava.

We present a case of an advanced invasive mole with a metastatic thrombus in the inferior vena cava in which sonography clearly showed vesicles in the myometrium, ovaries, and metastatic thrombus leading to a diagnosis of invasive mole rather than choriocarcinoma.

Imaging in Gestational Trophoblastic Disease.

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is a spectrum of disorders characterized by abnormal trophoblastic proliferation. GTD includes benign conditions such as hydatidiform moles and malignant diseases that are referred as gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). Ultrasound plays a central role in the diagnosis of patients with hydatidiform mole. Other imaging modalities are useful in molar pregnancy, mainly for evaluating pulmonary complications and atypical presentation of hydatidiform mole. GTN typically arises after 20% of molar pregnancies but can uncommonly occur after nonmolar gestations. After uterine evacuation, serial human chorionic gonadotropin levels are evaluated in patients for early detection of GTN. Once GTN is suspected, Doppler ultrasound is the primary tool to confirm the diagnosis; however, magnetic resonance imaging can also help in selected cases. Metastatic disease workup can involve various modalities, including ultrasound, X-ray, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography/computed tomography. In this article, we review the main imaging modalities used to evaluate patients with GTD.

Gestational Tubal Choriocarcinoma Presenting as a Pregnancy of Unknown Location following Ovarian Induction.

The management of pregnancy of unknown location (PUL) can be a challenging situation, since it can present as several different conditions. Here we describe a rare case of gestational choriocarcinoma arising in the fallopian tube after ovarian induction in an infertile patient. The patient received clomiphene for ovarian induction and had rising levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) over nine months without sign of pregnancy. After referral to our center, the patient was diagnosed with a paraovarian tumor, which revealed a gestational choriocarcinoma arising in the fallopian tube; the final diagnosis was supported by pathological and cytogenomic analysis. Malignancies, such as gestational trophoblastic disease, should be in the differential diagnosis of PUL; the early recognition of these conditions is key for the proper treatment and favorable outcome.

Triploid twin gestation with single fetal demise associated with partial mole and pre-eclampsia.

Both partial mole and twin gestation are conditions associated with the risk of the early onset of pre-eclampsia. In cases of twin gestation, the death or selective termination of a severely growth-restricted fetus may lead to the reversal of maternal pre-eclampsia because of the involution or death of the pathological placenta, as has been reported by some authors. This case demonstrates that in a twin triploid gestation, in spite of the demise of one of the fetuses, the respective partial molar placenta can continue to grow and may contribute to the development or to the worsening of the pre-eclampsia.

Pregnancy outcomes after chemotherapy for trophoblastic neoplasia.

INTRODUCTION: The successful development of chemotherapy enabled a fertilitysparing treatment for patients with trophoblastic neoplasia. After disease remission, the outcome of a subsequent pregnancy becomes a great concern for these women. OBJECTIVE: To analyze existing studies in the literature that describe the reproductive outcomes of patients with trophoblastic neoplasia treated with chemotherapy. METHOD: Systematic review was performed searching for articles on Medline/ Pubmed, Lilacs and Cochrane Library databases, using the terms "gestational trophoblastic disease" and "pregnancy outcome". RESULTS: A total of 18 articles were included. No evidence of decreased fertility after chemotherapy for trophoblastic neoplasia was observed. The abortion rates in patients who conceived within 6 months after chemotherapy was higher compared to those who waited longer. Some studies showed increased rates of stillbirth and repeat hydatidiform moles. Only one work showed increased congenital abnormalities. CONCLUSION: The pregnancies conceived after chemotherapy for trophoblastic neoplasia should be followed with clinical surveillance due to higher rates of some pregnancy complications. However, studies in the literature provide reassuring data about reproductive outcomes of these patients.

Is Doppler ultrasound useful for evaluating gestational trophoblastic disease?

UNLABELLED: Doppler ultrasound is a non-invasive method for evaluating vascularization and is widely used in clinical practice. Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia includes a group of highly vascularized malignancies derived from placental cells. This review summarizes data found in the literature regarding the applications of Doppler ultrasound in managing patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. The PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane and LILACS databases were searched for articles published in English until 2014 using the following keywords: "Gestational trophoblastic disease AND Ultrasonography, Doppler." Twenty-eight articles met the inclusion criteria and were separated into the 4 following groups according to the aim of the study. (1) Doppler ultrasound does not seem to be capable of differentiating partial from complete moles, but it might be useful when evaluating pregnancies in which a complete mole coexists with a normal fetus. (2) There is controversy in the role of uterine artery Doppler velocimetry in the prediction of development of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. (3) Doppler ultrasound is a useful tool in the diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia because abnormal myometrial vascularization and lower uterine artery Doppler indices seem to be correlated with invasive disease. (4) Lower uterine artery Doppler indices in the diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia are associated with methotrexate resistance and might play a role in prognosis. CONCLUSION: Several studies support the importance of Doppler ultrasound in the management of patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, particularly the role of Doppler velocimetry in the prediction of trophoblastic neoplasia and the chemoresistance of trophoblastic tumors. Doppler findings should be used as ancillary tools, along with human chorionic gonadotropin assessment, in the diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.

Pregnancy outcomes after chemotherapy for trophoblastic neoplasia / Futuro reprodutivo após tratamento quimioterápico da neoplasia trofoblástica

SUMMARY Introduction The successful development of chemotherapy enabled a fertilitysparing treatment for patients with trophoblastic neoplasia. After disease remission, the outcome of a subsequent pregnancy becomes a great concern for these women. Objective To analyze existing studies in the literature that describe the reproductive outcomes of patients with trophoblastic neoplasia treated with chemotherapy. Method Systematic review was performed searching for articles on Medline/ Pubmed, Lilacs and Cochrane Library databases, using the terms “gestational trophoblastic disease” and “pregnancy outcome”. Results A total of 18 articles were included. No evidence of decreased fertility after chemotherapy for trophoblastic neoplasia was observed. The abortion rates in patients who conceived within 6 months after chemotherapy was higher compared to those who waited longer. Some studies showed increased rates of stillbirth and repeat hydatidiform moles. Only one work showed increased congenital abnormalities. Conclusion The pregnancies conceived after chemotherapy for trophoblastic neoplasia should be followed with clinical surveillance due to higher rates of some pregnancy complications. However, studies in the literature provide reassuring data about reproductive outcomes of these patients.

RESUMO Introdução o sucesso do desenvolvimento da quimioterapia no tratamento da neoplasia trofoblástica proporcionou a possibilidade de conservação da fertilidade das pacientes, tornando o futuro reprodutivo uma nova preocupação após a remissão da doença Objetivo analisar os estudos existentes na literatura que descrevem o futuro reprodutivo de pacientes com neoplasia trofoblástica tratadas com quimioterapia. Método revisão sistemática que buscou artigos nas bases de dados Medline/Pubmed, Lilacs e Biblioteca Cochrane, utilizando as palavras-chave “gestational trophoblastic disease” e “pregnancy outcome”. Resultados foram selecionados 18 artigos de acordo com critérios de inclusão e exclusão. Não foi observada diminuição da fertilidade após a quimioterapia para neoplasia trofoblástica. Pacientes que engravidaram até 6 meses do término da quimioterapia apresentaram maiores taxas de abortamento quando comparadas às que esperaram mais de 6 meses. Alguns artigos encontraram maiores taxas de natimorto e nova mola hidatiforme. Apenas um estudo mostrou aumento da taxa de malformação. Conclusão as gestações subsequentes à neoplasia trofoblástica devem ser acompanhadas com vigilância clínica em decorrência da maior taxa de complicações na gestação, principalmente nas mulheres que engravidam até 6 meses após o término da quimioterapia. No entanto, os dados encontrados nos estudos tranquilizam quanto ao futuro reprodutivo dessas pacientes.

Is Doppler ultrasound useful for evaluating gestational trophoblastic disease?

Doppler ultrasound is a non-invasive method for evaluating vascularization and is widely used in clinical practice. Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia includes a group of highly vascularized malignancies derived from placental cells. This review summarizes data found in the literature regarding the applications of Doppler ultrasound in managing patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. The PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane and LILACS databases were searched for articles published in English until 2014 using the following keywords: “Gestational trophoblastic disease AND Ultrasonography, Doppler.” Twenty-eight articles met the inclusion criteria and were separated into the 4 following groups according to the aim of the study. (1) Doppler ultrasound does not seem to be capable of differentiating partial from complete moles, but it might be useful when evaluating pregnancies in which a complete mole coexists with a normal fetus. (2) There is controversy in the role of uterine artery Doppler velocimetry in the prediction of development of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. (3) Doppler ultrasound is a useful tool in the diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia because abnormal myometrial vascularization and lower uterine artery Doppler indices seem to be correlated with invasive disease. (4) Lower uterine artery Doppler indices in the diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia are associated with methotrexate resistance and might play a role in prognosis. CONCLUSION: Several studies support the importance of Doppler ultrasound in the management of patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, particularly the role of Doppler velocimetry in the prediction of trophoblastic neoplasia and the chemoresistance of trophoblastic tumors. Doppler findings should be used as ancillary tools, along with human chorionic gonadotropin assessment, in the diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.

Preditores moleculares de evolução da mola hidatiforme no tecido trofoblástico / Molecular prognostic predictors in trophoblastic tissue of hydatidiform mole

A mola hidatiforme (MH) é a forma mais comum de doença trofoblástica gestacional e representa uma condição benigna que em alguns casos pode sofrer malignização. Todas as pacientes diagnosticadas com doenças molares são acompanhadas por pelo menos seis meses para detecção precoce da neoplasia trofoblástica gestacional. No momento, existem poucas ferramentas para avaliação prognóstica da mola hidatiforme. Foi descrita a expressão diferencial de diversos fatores em tecido molar em comparação ao trofoblasto não neoplásico. Essas moléculas podem estar relacionadas com o comportamento agressivo da MH e consequentemente poderiam servir para melhor entendimento do processo de malignização e como preditoras da evolução da doença trofoblástica gestacional.

The hydatidiform mole (HM) is the most common form of gestational trophoblastic disease and a benign condition that in some cases may undergo malignant transformation. All patients diagnosed with molar diseases are monitored for at least six months for early detection of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. Currently, there are few prognostic tools for the prediction of hydatidiform mole evolution. Differential expression on molar tissue of different molecular factors have been described when compared to non-neoplastic trophoblast. These markers may be associated with aggressive behavior of HM and therefore could serve as predictors of the development of gestational trophoblastic disease and to better understand molar malignant transformation. This review article will summarize and evaluate prognostic molecular markers of HM.

Tumor trofoblastico do sitio placentario diagnostico e tratamento / Placental site trophoblastic tumors diagnosis and treatment

O tumor trofoblastico do sitio placentario (TTSP) e neoplasia derivada de celulas trofoblasticas intermediarias presentes nos vilos coriais e sitios extravilosos durante a gravidez. Entre 1976 a 1980, o TTSP era conhecido como pseudotumor trofoblastico. Apos reconhecimento do seu ...