​Gestational Trophoblastic Tumor

What is a Gestational Trophoblastic Tumor?

A gestational trophoblastic tumor is a rare disease in which cancer cells grow in the tissues that are formed in the uterus after fertilization.

A gestational trophoblastic tumor begins in the uterus after the meeting of sperm and egg, but the product of conception is not capable of developing into a fetus.

Types of Gestational Trophoblastic Tumors

The following represent the most common types of this gynecologic cancer.

Choriocarcinoma

• A cancerous tumor that develops from the cells that help an embryo attach to the lining of the uterus.
• This type of tumor grows quickly and can spread to other tissues of the body — especially the lungs — through the bloodstream.
• It usually occurs after fertilization. In rare cases, it can occur on its own in an ovary.

Molar pregnancy

• Also called a hydatidiform mole, this cancer grows from the cells that help an embryo attach to the lining of the uterus.
• This slow-growing tumor is usually noncancerous (benign), but it can sometimes behave like cancer (invasive mole), or develop into a choriocarcinoma.
• A molar pregnancy occurs after fertilization and often resembles a normal pregnancy, at first. Some deformed embryonic tissue may be present.

Placental-site trophoblastic disease

• This type of cancerous tumor begins in the uterus at the site where the placenta was attached to the uterine lining.
• It's an extremely rare form of gestational trophoblastic tumor.

Who's at Risk for Gestational Trophoblastic Tumors?

Certain factors may increase your risk of developing a gestational trophoblastic tumor, including:

• Age over 35
• Previous history of molar pregnancy
• Southeast Asian ethnicity

» Learn more about gynecologic cancer prevention and screening.

Symptoms of Gestational Trophoblastic Tumors

Symptoms of a gestational trophoblastic tumor may include:

• Pelvic pain or pressure
• Nausea and vomiting
• Anemia
• High blood pressure
• Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
• Ovarian cysts
• Passage of small, round cysts through the vagina
• Dark brown to bright red vaginal bleeding during the first trimester
• Pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure before 20 weeks of pregnancy)
• Absence of fetal movement after the expected time
• Uterine size larger than the known or expected stage of pregnancy

Testing for and Diagnosing Gestational Trophoblastic Tumors

Specialists at the Magee-Womens Gynecologic Cancer Program use a variety of tests to diagnose and screen for gestational trophoblastic tumors, including:

• hCG test
• Pelvic exams
• Ultrasound (sonography)
• chest x-ray
• CT (computed tomography) scans

Gestational Trophoblastic Tumor Treatment at the Magee-Womens Gynecologic Cancer Program

If you're diagnosed with a gestational trophoblastic tumor, your treatment will depend on the following factors:

• Your age
• Your desire to have children
• The size of your tumor
• The stage of your cancer
• Other medical conditions

Your doctors and other specialists at the Magee-Womens Gynecologic Cancer Program will work with you to consider your options and determine a course of action.

Treatment Options for Gestational Trophoblastic Tumors

Surgery is often the recommended treatment for gestational trophoblastic tumors.

In selective circumstances, we may recommend chemotherapy — before (neo adjuvant) or after (adjuvant) surgery — to control an aggressive cancer or to reduce the risk of recurrence.

The use of chemotherapy treatment depends on:

• Your age
• The stage of your gynecologic cancer

We may also use radiation therapy to treat a gestational trophoblastic tumor.

Comprehensive Gynecologic Cancer Care

As a patient of the Gynecologic Cancer Program, you have access to additional treatment options and services, including:

• Clinical trials
• Integrative, holistic medicine
• Fertility preservation
• Supportive care for you and your family