The pathologic features of gestational trophoblastic disease may overlap with those seen in a nonmolar pregnancy with hydropic villi. A number of pathologic findings can aid in making the correct diagnosis.
Diagnostic choices:
(1) nonmolar pregnancy with hydropic villi
(2) partial hydatidiform mole
(3) complete hydatidiform mole
Diagnostic tests:
(1) detection of a fetus
(2) histologic evidence of cisterns within the villi
(3) ploidy from flow cytometry
(4) nuclear immunostaining for p57(KIP2)
Parameter
Hydropic Nonmolar
Partial Mole
Complete Mole
fetus present
present (or blighted ovum)
present
absent
cisterns
absent
occasional
numerous
ploidy
diploid, tetraploid
triploid (XXY, XXX, XYY)
see below
p57(KIP2)
positive
positive
negative or very low
Ploidy in a complete mole:
(1) diploid 50%
(2) tetraploid 43%
(3) polyploid about 4%
(4) triploid < 2%
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
