ABSTRACT
Encompassing both benign and malignant lesions arising from the anomalous growth of trophoblastic tissue within the uterus, gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTDs) are classified into trophoblastic neoplasms, molar pregnancies, and nonmolar trophoblastic lesions. The most common form of GTD is hydatidiform mole (HM), which can behave in a malignant or benign fashion. This is followed by invasive mole, choriocarcinoma, placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT), and epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT), which represent the malignant forms of GTD. Along with malignant HM, invasive mole, choriocarcinoma, PSTT, and ETT are capable of invading locally or metastasizing, and are collectively referred to as gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). Clinical symptoms of GTD consist of vaginal or uterine bleeding, increased uterine volume, theca lutein cysts, high serum levels of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, early preeclampsia, hyperemesis gravidarum, and hyperthyroidism. Diagnosis of GTN involves laboratory tests, imaging studies (pelvic ultrasonography, computerized tomography [CT], and MRI), and histological characterization.
