At Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, we combine medical expertise with compassionate care. Our goal is to address your needs with cutting-edge technologies and the latest treatments while tending to you in body, mind and spirit.
If you’re facing a gestational trophoblastic cancer diagnosis, our tumor board brings together gynecologic experts from many different fields to discuss your case and develop a treatment plan for you. We strive to provide you with highly personalized care that effectively treats your disease.
Your care plan may include innovative treatments as well as services to address your entire journey as a patient. These services include nutritional advice along with physical rehabilitation and pain management services. We focus on the treatment that is right for your type of cancer and right for you as an individual.
What is gestational trophoblastic cancer?
Gestational trophoblastic cancer is a type of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD). GTD is a rare condition where abnormal trophoblast cells form in the uterus after conception, causing tumors to grow. These abnormalities form in the cells that usually make up your placenta, which connects a growing fetus to your uterus.
Most GTD tumors are noncancerous (benign), but some contain cancer cells. These are known as malignant tumors. With treatment, including surgery and chemotherapy, you can usually become cancer-free, especially if physicians find your tumor early. You can usually have healthy future pregnancies, as well. Even when cancer has spread, in most cases, the prognosis for malignant GTD tumors is good.
Types of Gestational Trophoblastic Disease
GTD tumors are grouped into two types: hydatidiform moles and gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.
Hydatidiform moles (HMs) are generally noncancerous, but up to 20 percent may become invasive or cancerous. HMs are much more common than gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). HMs are slow-growing tumors that are sometimes called molar pregnancies. Types of HMs include:
Complete hydatidiform moles (complete HM)
Partial hydatidiform moles (partial HM)
Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) tumors are almost always cancerous. Types of GTN include:
Choriocarcinomas — This type is aggressive and spreads quickly to other areas of your body. Distant spread of cancer is known as stage 4 disease. It tends to be more difficult to treat than cancers that have not spread. However, with treatment, even stage 4 choriocarcinomas can go into remission, where there is no sign of cancer in your body or the cancer stops growing.
Placental-site trophoblastic tumors (PSTT) — This type is very rare. They develop where the placenta and uterus attach. About three out of four women with PSTTs survive the disease.
Epithelioid trophoblastic tumors (ETT) — These tumors also develop where the placenta attaches to the uterus. These tumors commonly spread to the lungs and bones. Between 75 percent and 90 percent of women who get ETTs survive.
Risk Factors for Gestational Trophoblastic Disease
Risk factors can include:
Being pregnant before age 20 or after age 35
Having an ovarian cyst larger than six centimeters
Having a high level of beta human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone the body produces during pregnancy
Having an overactive thyroid gland
Having high blood pressure during pregnancy
Prior molar pregnancies or hydatidiform moles
Prior miscarriages
Preventing Gestational Trophoblastic Disease
You can’t control the risk factors for GTD. However, it’s important to remember that GTD is very rare and shouldn’t interfere with your decision to have a family.
If you have had prior molar pregnancies or miscarriages, talk with your physician about the risk of developing GTD and whether there is anything you can do to lower your risk.
Gestational Trophoblastic Disease Screening
There is no standard screening for GTD. Most cases are found during routine prenatal checkups or when a pregnant woman notices worrying signs or symptoms, such as vaginal bleeding.
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