Hydatid mole

Hydatid Mole

A hydatid mole is a rare condition that occurs during pregnancy, characterized by the abnormal growth of trophoblastic tissue. This condition is a type of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) and can be classified into two main types: complete and partial hydatid moles.

Types of Hydatid Mole

Complete Hydatid Mole

A complete hydatid mole occurs when an egg with no genetic material is fertilized by a sperm. The resulting tissue is entirely abnormal and consists of swollen, fluid-filled villi that resemble a cluster of grapes. There is no formation of a fetus in a complete mole.

Partial Hydatid Mole

A partial hydatid mole occurs when a normal egg is fertilized by two sperm, leading to the presence of an abnormal fetus along with molar tissue. The fetus is usually malformed and cannot survive.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of a hydatid mole include:

• Vaginal bleeding during the first trimester
• Rapid uterine growth
• Severe nausea and vomiting
• High levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of a hydatid mole is typically made through:

• Ultrasound imaging, which shows a "snowstorm" pattern in complete moles
• Measurement of hCG levels, which are often higher than normal
• Histological examination of the evacuated tissue

Treatment

The primary treatment for a hydatid mole is the surgical removal of the molar tissue through a procedure called dilation and curettage (D&C). In some cases, further treatment with chemotherapy may be necessary if there is persistent trophoblastic disease.

Prognosis

With appropriate treatment, the prognosis for women with a hydatid mole is generally good. However, there is a risk of developing choriocarcinoma, a malignant form of GTD, which requires careful follow-up and monitoring.

Epidemiology

Hydatid moles are more common in certain regions, such as Southeast Asia, and in women over the age of 35 or under the age of 20. The exact cause is not well understood, but factors such as nutritional deficiencies and genetic predispositions may play a role.

See Also

• Gestational trophoblastic disease
• Choriocarcinoma
• Molar pregnancy

==

• Berkowitz, R. S., & Goldstein, D. P. (2009). "Molar pregnancy." The New England Journal of Medicine, 360(16), 1639-1645.
• Seckl, M. J., Sebire, N. J., & Berkowitz, R. S. (2010). "Gestational trophoblastic disease." The Lancet, 376(9742), 717-729.

NIH genetic and rare disease info

• NIH info on Hydatid mole

Hydatid mole is a rare disease.