Gestational Trophoblastic Disease - How To Diagnose It?

Gestational trophoblastic disease is a rare condition. It only happens when trophoblast cells abnormally grow inside the uterus. Also, this only happens after conception. These cells surround the egg which has been fertilized in the uterus. It is also worth note that the trophoblast cells usually connect the fertilized eggs to the uterus' walls and also form a part of the placenta. It is only when there is a tumor that this disease is diagnosed. There are many forms of gestational trophoblastic disease.

Here they are:

Types

1. Complete hydatidiform moles

2. Partial hydatidiform moles

3. Invasive moles

4. Choriocarcinomas

5. Placental-site trophoblastic tumors (PSTT)

6. Epithelioid trophoblastic tumors (ETT)

It is worth note that most of these diseases have different stages. The stage of how far cancer has developed can be found out using the following techniques.

Testing for GTDs -

1. Beta-HCG (βHCG)

HCG is normally found only in the blood or urine of pregnant women, finding HCG in urine is the basis of most pregnancy tests. Abnormal trophoblast releases more HCG than a normal placenta, so finding higher than expected HCG levels in the blood can be a sign that trophoblastic disease is present.

2.Chest X-ray

This is simply an X-ray of the chest.

3.MRI

An MRI is an abbreviation of magnetic resonance imaging. It makes use of a form of magnet which transfers radio waves to a computer to find out what is going on within your body.

4. CT scan

This is similar to an X-ray except that more detailed and larger pictures inside the body can be taken and the scan has a slightly different procedure. There are several ways to treat it depending on how far cancer has spread into the body. Here they are:

Treatment

1. Surgery

Surgery is usually done while the mole is still non-cancerous. The chances of the mole becoming cancerous are increased by pregnancy. Therefore, it is crucial that you do not become pregnant until the surgery is complete.

2. Chemotherapy

GTDs are effectively treated with chemotherapy and can be cured of disease. Follow up of patients with GTDs is done with levels of Beta HCG and clinical findings Contraception is must for all patients for at least 6 mth to 2 yrs depending upon type of GTDs.