Hydatiform mole: Difference between revisions
| Line 2: | Line 2: | ||
{{Hydatiform mole}} | {{Hydatiform mole}} | ||
==Prognosis== | ==Prognosis== | ||
Revision as of 16:52, 19 September 2012
|
Hydatiform mole Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Hydatiform mole On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Hydatiform mole |
Prognosis
More than 80% of hydatidiform moles are benign. The outcome after treatment is usually excellent. Close follow-up is essential. Highly effective means of contraception are recommended to avoid pregnancy for at least 6 to 12 months.
In 10 to 15% of cases, hydatidiform moles may develop into invasive moles. These may intrude so far into the uterine wall that hemorrhage or other complications develop. It is for this reason that a post-operative full abdominal and chest x-ray will often be requested.
In 2 to 3% of cases, hydatidiform moles may develop into choriocarcinoma, which is a malignant, rapidly-growing, and metastatic (spreading) form of cancer. Despite these factors which normally indicate a poor prognosis, the rate of cure after treatment with chemotherapy is high.
Over 90% of women with malignant, non-spreading cancer are able to survive and retain their ability to have children. In those with metastatic (spreading) cancer, remission remains at 75 to 85%, although the ability to have children is usually lost.
References
- Original source: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000909.htm
External links
- Complete moles have paternal chromosomes but maternal mitochondrial DNA by Douglas C. Wallace, Urvashi Surti, Camellia W. Adams and A. E. Szulman, Volume 61, Number 2 of Human Genetics
- MyMolarPregnancy.com Support group, information, links and personal stories for women with molar pregnancies.
- Molar Pregnancy Early pregnancy loss
Acknowledgements
The content on this page was first contributed by: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D.
List of contributors: