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.
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: