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)
Please click on the required question.
- 1 What is a miscarriage?
- 2 What are the different types of miscarriage?
- 3 How accurate are pregnancy tests?
- 4 What is a blighted ovum?
- 5 I have had a hydatidiform mole. What is this?
- 6 Why did I have a spontaneous miscarriage?
- 7 How frequently do miscarriages occur?
- 8 I am miscarrying. How should this be treated?
- 8a Can miscarriage result in anxiety and depression?
- 9 What is meant by recurrent miscarriage?
- 10 I have a problem with recurrent miscarriage. What is the chance of my next pregnancy being successful?
- Q 12.11 Recurrent Miscarriage I have miscarried again. Why does this keep happening?
- 12 What congenital problems might be associated with recurrent miscarriage and how could they be treated?
- 13 What traumatic conditions can cause recurrent miscarriage and how can they be treated?
- 14 Can infection cause recurrent miscarriage and would treatment help?
- 15 Could a metabolic disorder cause recurrent miscarriage?
- 16 Could a hormonal problem account for recurrent miscarriage and would hormone treatment help me?
- 17 Could an autoimmune problem cause recurrent miscarriage and how could this be treated?
- 18 Could a tumour cause recurrent miscarriage?
- 19 What degenerative processes may be associated with recurrent miscarriage?
- 20 After every miscarriage I become more depressed. Could this account for the problem?
- 21 Is it always possible to explain recurrent miscarriage?
- 22 I have a problem with recurrent miscarriage. What treatment is available to ensure that this does not happen again?
- 23 What is an ectopic pregnancy?
- 24 How frequently do ectopic pregnancies occur?
- 25 Why do ectopic pregnancies occur?
- 26 How can an ectopic pregnancy be diagnosed?
- 27 How can an ectopic pregnancy be treated?
- 28 Where can I obtain more information?
- 29 Support Groups.
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This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.
I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.
