Home
About us
Facilities Available
Consultants
Location Map
Download Map
Cashless Admissions
Guidelines for patients
Credits & Disclaimer
Contact us

Specialities

ENT
Gynaecology
Keyhole surgeries
Ophthalmology
Paediatrics
Infertility
Pregnancy
Delivery
Breastfeeding
Laparoscopy Pictures

All your pregnancy questions answered

Molar pregnancy-Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia [GTN}

• What is a molar pregnancy?

A molar pregnancy could refer to either a partial mole or a complete molar pregnancy. These are unhealthy pregnancies where there is no baby and there is abnormal and excessive growth of placental tissue. The current terminology is gestational trophoblastic neoplasia or GTN.

1. A complete mole occurs when the nucleus of an egg is either lost or inactivated. The uterus is rather filled with the mole that resembles a bunch of grapes. The fluid filled vesicles grow rapidly, which can make the uterus seem larger than it should be for gestational age. Because there is no placenta to receive the blood typically you will see bleeding into the uterine cavity or vaginal bleeding.

2. A partial mole most frequently occurs when two sperm fertilize the same egg. There may be partial placentas, membranes or even a fetus present in a partial mole. However, there are usually genetic problems with the baby.

• How is a molar pregnancy detected?

Usually symptoms are late and this is often detected on the first scan that is done in pregnancy. When symptoms do start they are

1. Uterus usually bigger than it should be [and rarely smaller]

2. Vaginal bleeding

3. Excessive nausea and vomiting

4. No fetal movements are felt

5. Passage of grape like structures

6. Hypertension early in pregnancy

7. Abnormally high levels of a hormone known as HCG

8. Ultrasonography is the final diagnostic toll used and is confirmatory

• Treatment and follow up

A method known as suction and evacuation  is usually used to evacuate the mole form the uterus. Induction of labor is not recommended do to increased risks of hemorrhage. On going treatment includes hCG levels to be taken several times a week, then weekly, until they are "normal" for three weeks. Then you will be tested monthly for six months, and every two months until a total of one year has passed. Pelvic exams should be done too. A rising level of hCG and an enlarging uterus could indicate a choriocarcinoma. A choriocarcinoma is a malignancy that sometimes grows after a molar pregnancy and needs to be treated. It is however usually easy to treat and results of treatment are good. Choriocarcinoma is one of the most curable cancers in the gynecology.

Pregnancy should be avoided for the period of one year. Any method of birth control, with the exception of an intrauterine device, is acceptable. If you are Rh negative, then you will also receive the Anti D injection.