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Description
What are gestational trophoblastic tumors?
What are gestational trophoblastic tumors?
Gestational trophoblastic tumor, a rare cancer in women, is a disease in which
cancer (malignant) cells grow in the tissues that are formed following
conception (the joining of sperm and egg). Gestational trophoblastic tumors
start inside the uterus, the hollow, muscular, pear-shaped organ where a baby
grows. This type of cancer occurs in women during the years when they are able
to have children. There are two types of gestational trophoblastic tumors:
hydatidiform mole and choriocarcinoma.
If a patient has a hydatidiform mole (also called a molar pregnancy), the sperm
and egg cells have joined without the development of a baby in the uterus.
Instead, the tissue that is formed resembles grape-like cysts. Hydatidiform
mole does not spread outside of the uterus to other parts of the body.
If a patient has a choriocarcinoma, the tumor may have started from a
hydatidiform mole or from tissue that remains in the uterus following an
abortion or delivery of a baby. Choriocarcinoma can spread from the uterus to
other parts of the body. A very rare type of gestational trophoblastic tumor
starts in the uterus where the placenta was attached. This type of cancer is
called placental-site trophoblastic disease.
Gestational trophoblastic tumor is not always easy to find. In its early stages, it may look like a normal pregnancy. A doctor should be seen if the
there is vaginal bleeding (not menstrual bleeding) and if a woman is pregnant
and the baby hasn’t moved at the expected time.
If there are symptoms, a doctor may use several tests to see if the patient has
a gestational trophoblastic tumor. An internal (pelvic) examination is usually
the first of these tests. The doctor will feel for any lumps or strange
feeling in the shape or size of the uterus. The doctor may then do an ultrasound, a test that uses sound waves to find tumors. A blood test will
also be done to look for high levels of a hormone called beta-HCG (beta human
chorionic gonadotropin) which is present during normal pregnancy. If a woman
is not pregnant and HCG is in the blood, it can be a sign of gestational
trophoblastic tumor.
The chance of recovery (prognosis) and choice of treatment depend on the type
of gestational trophoblastic tumor, whether it has spread to other places, and
the patient’s general state of health.
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Glossary Terms
beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (BAY-tuh-HYOO-mun KOR-ee-AH-nik goh-NA-doh-TROH-pin)
A hormone normally found in the blood and urine during pregnancy. It may also be produced by some tumor cells. An increased level of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin may be a sign of cancer of the testis, uterus, ovary, liver, stomach, pancreas, or lung. Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin may also be produced in response to certain conditions that are not cancer. Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin is being studied in the treatment of Kaposi sarcoma. Also called ß-hCG.
blood
A tissue with red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other substances suspended in fluid called plasma. Blood takes oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, and carries away wastes.
blood chemistry study
A procedure in which a sample of blood is examined to measure the amounts of certain substances made in the body. An abnormal amount of a substance can be a sign of disease in the organ or tissue that produces it.
cancer (KAN-ser)
A term for
diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and
can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to
other parts of the body through the blood and lymph
systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma
is cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line
or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is cancer that begins in
bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other
connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is cancer that
starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and
causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced
and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are
cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system.
Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in
the tissues of the brain and spinal cord.
cell (sel)
The individual unit that makes up the tissues of the body. All living things are made up of one or more cells.
choriocarcinoma (KOR-ee-oh-KAR-sih-NOH-muh)
A malignant, fast-growing tumor that develops from trophoblastic cells (cells that help an embryo attach to the uterus and help form the placenta). Almost all choriocarcinomas form in the uterus after fertilization of an egg by a sperm, but a small number form in a testis or an ovary. Choriocarcinomas spread through the blood to other organs, especially the lungs. They are a type of gestational trophoblastic disease. Also called chorioblastoma, chorioepithelioma, and chorionic carcinoma.
cyst (sist)
A sac or capsule in the body. It may be filled with fluid or other material.
gestational trophoblastic tumor (jeh-STAY-shuh-nul troh-fuh-BLAS-tik TOO-mer)
Any of a group of tumors that develops from trophoblastic cells (cells that help an embryo attach to the uterus and help form the placenta) after fertilization of an egg by a sperm. The two main types of gestational trophoblastic tumors are hydatidiform mole and choriocarcinoma. Also called gestational trophoblastic disease.
hormone (HOR-mone)
One of many chemicals made by glands in the body. Hormones circulate in the bloodstream and control the actions of certain cells or organs. Some hormones can also be made in the laboratory.
malignant (muh-LIG-nunt)
Cancerous. Malignant tumors can invade and destroy nearby tissue and spread to other parts of the body.
menstrual cycle (MEN-stroo-al)
The monthly cycle of hormonal changes from the beginning of one menstrual period to the beginning of the next.
molar pregnancy (MOH-ler PREG-nun-see)
A slow-growing tumor that develops from trophoblastic cells (cells that help an embryo attach to the uterus and help form the placenta) after fertilization of an egg by a sperm. A molar pregnancy contains many cysts (sacs of fluid). It is usually benign (not cancer) but it may spread to nearby tissues (invasive mole). It may also become a malignant tumor called choriocarcinoma. Molar pregnancy is the most common type of gestational trophoblastic tumor. Also called hydatidiform mole.
organ
A part of the body that performs a specific function. For example, the heart is an organ.
pelvic examination
A physical examination in which the health care professional will feel for lumps or changes in the shape of the vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and rectum. The health care professional will also use a speculum to open the vagina to look at the cervix and take samples for a Pap test. Also called internal examination.
placenta
The organ that nourishes the developing fetus in the uterus.
prognosis (prog-NO-sis)
The likely outcome or course of a disease; the chance of recovery or recurrence.
sperm (spurm)
The male reproductive cell, formed in the testicle. A sperm unites with an egg to form an embryo.
stage
The extent of a cancer in the body. Staging is usually based on the size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes contain cancer, and whether the cancer has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.
symptom
An indication that a person has a condition or disease. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and pain.
tissue (TISH-oo)
A group or layer of cells that work together to perform a specific function.
tumor (TOO-mer)
An abnormal mass of tissue that results when cells divide more than they should or do not die when they should. Tumors may be benign (not cancer), or malignant (cancer). Also called neoplasm.
ultrasound (UL-truh-SOWND)
A procedure in which high-energy sound waves are bounced off internal tissues or organs and make echoes. The echo patterns are shown on the screen of an ultrasound machine, forming a picture of body tissues called a sonogram. Also called ultrasonography.
uterus (YOO-ter-us)
The small, hollow, pear-shaped organ in a woman's pelvis. This is the organ in which a baby grows. Also called womb.
vaginal (VA-jih-nul)
Having to do with the vagina (the birth canal).
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