Gestational Trophoblastic Disease

Radiologic-Pathologic Correlation

Abstract Introduction Normal And Abnormal Trophoblast Epidemiologic Characteristics

Hydatidiform Mole Complete Hydatidiform Mole Invasive Mole Choriocarcinoma Partial Hydatidiform Mole

Placental Site Trophoblastic Disease Conclusions Source Information References

Epidemiologic Characteristics

There are wide geographic differences in the prevalence of GTD. North American and European countries tend to have low or intermediate rates of risk, whereas Asian and Latin American nations often have very high rates of disease. Much of this apparent disparity may be due to significant statistical flaws (7). Although accurate figures are difficult to obtain for many reasons, the most confounding is the variation in accuracy of obstetric record keeping, since the prevalence is usually calculated as a percentage of live births (2,8).

Maternal age is also a risk factor: Young mothers (under age 20 years) have a slightly higher prevalence of GTD, although not nearly so great as those mothers over age 35 years. However, because of overall childbirth patterns, women in their 20s and 30s still account for most cases of the disease. Women who have had a previous molar gestation are at increased risk to develop a similar subsequent lesion. The risk increases with the number of spontaneous abortions. Women with blood type A may be more likely to develop choriocarcinoma (but not hydatidiform mole); this difference has not been substantiated in all studies, however (7,8,9,10).

Abstract Introduction Normal And Abnormal Trophoblast Epidemiologic Characteristics

Hydatidiform Mole Complete Hydatidiform Mole Invasive Mole Choriocarcinoma Partial Hydatidiform Mole

Placental Site Trophoblastic Disease Conclusions Source Information References