Routine terminations of pregnancy--should we screen for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia?
After termination of pregnancy for non-medical reasons, the products of conception are often not routinely examined for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. Between 1995 and 2001 we identified 15 women without and 36 women with a pathological diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia at the time of their pregnancy termination. Women without a diagnosis were significantly more likely to have subsequent life-threatening complications of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (four of 15 vs none of 36; p=0.003), and to require surgical intervention (15 of 15 vs one of 36; p<0.0001) and chemotherapy (nine of 15 vs two of 36; p<0.0001). All women should be screened for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia after termination of pregnancy.
Gestational Trophoblastic Disease Unit, Department of Medical Oncology, Charing Cross and Hammersmith Hospitals Campus, Imperial College London, Fulham Palace Road, London W6 8RF, UK. m.seckl@imperial.co.uk
Michael J
MJ
Seckl
Roopinder
R
Gillmore
Marianne
M
Foskett
Neil J
NJ
Sebire
Helene
H
Rees
Edward S
ES
Newlands
D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D031901:Gestational Trophoblastic Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin