Moles And Pregnancy

Hydatidiform mole is also called molar pregnancy. It is a rare complication, occurring in approximately 1 in 1,000 pregnancies in the United States and Europe. It is more common in parts of Asia. In these conditions, the chorionic villi of pregnancy are converted into a mass of cysts grapelike. In a complete mole, there are no embryonic or fetal tissue. In a partial mole, there will be fetal tissues. On a very rare occasion, a twin pregnancy may cause a viable fetus and a mole. The pregnancy went to term with the birth of a normal baby, but that is extremely rare.

Hydatidiform mole is more common among women at both ends of the childbearing of young adolescents and women over 45 years. There are ten times more likely to have a molar pregnancy if you get pregnant at age 45 than there is if you are pregnant at a younger age. molar pregnancies were observed among women at age 50 years, while a normal pregnancy at that age is virtually unknown, except that consisted of reproductive technologies. molar pregnancy costs about 1-2 percent of the time.

Signs of a molar pregnancy include persistent nausea and vomiting, bleeding occurs about the twelfth week of pregnancy or earlier, a uterus larger than expected for the dates of pregnancy and the absence of a beating fetal heart activity or the fetus, although the size of the uterus suggests that the fetal heart should be heard and the woman must feel the movement. A characteristic sign of a molar pregnancy is the development of gestational hypertension or preeclampsia during the first half of pregnancy. This is usually a condition of the second half of pregnancy, generally not before 24 weeks gestation.

When a woman presents with these symptoms, a blood test for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is ordered with a sonogram. The hCG levels will be unusually high in the presence of a molar pregnancy. Ultrasound identifies the characteristic mass grapelike quite accurate.

The treatment of hydatidiform mole is an abortion. As this is a loss of pregnancy, consider seeking support and advice. Although the mole is not a fatal condition in about 20 percent of cases, it may progress to malignancy. This is called a trophoblastic tumor. A type of tumor is a fast growing malignant tumor called choriocarcinoma.

All women with molar pregnancy should be evaluated after pregnancy for evidence of a trophoblastic tumor. The follow-up visit is to measure levels of hCG in the blood at regular intervals until they returned to normal. Immediately after termination, hCG is measured at intervals of two weeks. When levels are undetectable, which usually occurs within three months, they can be measured every month for six months and then every two months for a full year. Pregnancy should be avoided until at least one year has elapsed without elevated hCG in the blood. If the hCG levels do not regress, or if they get up after molar pregnancy has been terminated, then further treatment is necessary.

The evidence of spread of the disease must be sought. A chest radiograph is made, for example. If pregnancy is not desired in addition, treatment may consist of a hysterectomy. If the woman wishes to preserve its ability to reproduce, then chemotherapy is the treatment of choice. Chemotherapy may be necessary after hysterectomy if the disease has spread. Whenever possible, gestational trophoblastic tumors should be treated by experienced specialists in their care.