Stages of gestational trophoblastic tumors
Hydatidiform mole
Placental-site gestational trophoblastic tumors
Nonmetastatic
Metastatic, good prognosis
Metastatic, poor prognosis
Recurrent

Stages of gestational trophoblastic tumors

Once gestational trophoblastic tumor has been found, more tests will be done to find out if the cancer has spread from inside the uterus to other parts of the body (staging). Treatment of gestational trophoblastic tumor depends on the stage of the disease and the patient’s age and general health. The following stages are used for gestational trophoblastic tumor:

Cancer is found only in the space inside the uterus. If the cancer is found in the muscle of the uterus, it is called an invasive mole (choriocarcinoma destruens).

Cancer is found in the place where the placenta was attached and in the muscle of the uterus.

Cancer cells have grown inside the uterus from tissue remaining following treatment of a hydatidiform mole or following an abortion or delivery of a baby. Cancer has not spread outside the uterus.

Cancer cells have grown inside the uterus from tissue remaining following treatment of a hydatidiform mole or following an abortion or delivery of a baby. The cancer has spread from the uterus to other parts of the body. Metastatic gestational trophoblastic tumors are considered good prognosis or poor prognosis.

Metastatic gestational trophoblastic tumor is considered good prognosis if all of the following are true:

1. The last pregnancy was less than 4 months ago.
2. The level of beta-HCG in the blood is low.
3. Cancer has not spread to the liver or brain.
4. The patient has not received chemotherapy earlier.

Cancer cells have grown inside the uterus from tissue remaining following treatment of a hydatidiform mole or following an abortion or delivery of a baby. The cancer has spread from the uterus to other parts of the body. Metastatic gestational trophoblastic tumors are considered good prognosis or poor prognosis.

Metastatic gestational trophoblastic tumor is considered poor prognosis if any the following are true:

1. The last pregnancy was more than 4 months ago.
2. The level of beta-HCG in the blood is high.
3. Cancer has spread to the liver or brain.
4. The patient received chemotherapy earlier and the cancer did not go away.
5. The tumor began after the completion of a normal pregnancy.

Recurrent disease means that the cancer has come back (recurred) after it has been treated. It may come back in the uterus or in another part of the body.

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