ABSTRACT
Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is a term that incorporates a wide spectrum of disorders of trophoblast development, ranging from hydatidiform mole at the benign end to malignant choriocarcinoma. The most common GTD are complete and partial hydatidiform moles (PHM). The estimated incidence of partial mole is 1 per 700 pregnancies whereas the incidence of complete mole is around 1 per 1500-2000 pregnancies.1-3
Both complete and partial molar pregnancies are associated with persistent trophoblastic disease and are offered follow up to ensure complete disappearance of trophoblastic tissue. Following uterine evacuation about 10-20% of women with a complete mole develop persistent GTD (pGTD).2 The incidence of this complication after a partial mole varies widely between 0.1 and 11%,1-6 probably due to the absence of epidemiological data on large unselected populations. Difficulties lie in the diagnosis of both CHM and PHM in early pregnancy because both ultrasound and histological appearances differ between the first and second trimester and cases can be missed.
