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Gestational trophoblastic disease is an extremely rare type of cancer that develops when a woman is pregnant. Only 3,000 women in the United States will develop this disease annually. After conception, if the placental tissue that is supposed to support the growth of the baby grows too quickly, sometimes a molar pregnancy will develop.  Rather than a baby developing, a tumor will develop instead.

Risk Factors

Women at risk of developing a molar pregnancy include: 

• Women who have had an abortion (natural or induced)
• Women with a history of ectopic pregnancies
• Women with a history of genital tumors

Symptoms

A possible symptom is continued vaginal bleeding in a woman with a recent history of hydatidiform mole, abortion, or term pregnancy.

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease include:

• Irregular vaginal bleeding
• Cysts on the ovaries
• Uneven enlargement of the uterus
• Persistently elevated HCG (pregnancy hormone) levels
• Pain
• Symptoms related to the disease spreading to other organs such as lungs, liver, and brain

Screening & Diagnosis 

A pelvic examination may reveal continued uterine enlargement or a tumor.

Tests include:

• A blood test to confirm pregnancy
• CT scan to detect potential metastatic tumor in any organ
• Chest x-ray

These signs and tests apply to women with a recent history of this disease, women who have previously had an abortion or been unable to carry a previous pregnancy to term.

Treatment

This type of cancer is very easily treated once it is diagnosed.   Chemotherapy is the most common treatment used and patients will usually respond very well.  In rare cases a hysterectomy may be necessary.  Many women are still able to conceive after they recover. 

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