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Molar pregnancy
Author(s) -
Savage Philip
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the obstetrician and gynaecologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1744-4667
pISSN - 1467-2561
DOI - 10.1576/toag.10.1.003.27370
Subject(s) - molar pregnancy , pregnancy , medicine , etiology , molar , obstetrics and gynaecology , obstetrics , gestation , gynecology , dentistry , genetics , biology
Key content• Molar pregnancies are rare, occurring at a rate of approximately 1 for every 700 live births. • Most cases of molar pregnancy are diagnosed in the first trimester by ultrasound or as early pregnancy losses. • The initial management is by evacuation and registration with one of the follow‐up services, which are based in Sheffield, Dundee and at Charing Cross Hospital, London. • Approximately 15% of cases of complete moles and 0.5% of cases of partial moles require further treatment with chemotherapy: second evacuations are generally unhelpful. • The cure rate for molar pregnancies, including for those women requiring chemotherapy, is >99%.Learning objectives• To learn about the aetiology and diagnosis of molar pregnancy. • To be aware of the initial management and importance of patient registration. • To be able to discuss the diagnosis with women, including an outline of indications and practicalities of chemotherapy.Ethical issues• Calling the condition ‘persistent trophoblast disease’ rather than ‘cancer’ is appropriate, given the near 100% cure rate.Please cite this article as: Savage P. Molar pregnancy. The Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 2008;10:3–8.