This is a benign tumour of the trophoblast (afterbirth tissues) characterised by vesicles which look like small grapes. Usually a hydatidiform mole develops without an embryo but this is not always the case. As hydatidiform moles produce a relatively high level of the pregnancy hormone HCG, there tends to be an increased incidence of excessive vomiting in early pregnancy. The diagnosis is usually made from the typical ultrasound picture. The womb will need to be carefully emptied by suction. Very rarely, there is subsequently evidence of malignancy (choriocarcinoma). It is therefore essential that you are carefully monitored for a few months by hormone tests on your urine. These days choriocarcinoma can be treated successfully by chemotherapy (Q32.33).
Pictures of a hydatidiform mole from www.hmole-chorio.org.uk
Related Medical Abstracts - Click on the paper title:-
- Postevacuation hCG levels and risk of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia in women with complete molar pregnancy. (2005-01)
- Diagnosis and treatment of gestational trophoblastic disease: ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 53. (2004-01)
- Low risk of relapse after achieving undetectable HCG levels in women with complete molar pregnancy. (2004-02)
