title: Practical issues in the management of low-risk gestational trophoblast tumors.
abstract: Using data primarily from Charing Cross Hospital in London, we examined the organization and funding of patients' care and follow-up, the value of second evacuations, the indications for treatment escalation and the results of treating patients with persistent low levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) following a molar pregnancy. In the U.K. system the total cost per patient treated is approximately $30,000. Second evacuations appear to have only a modest chance (18%) of benefit in patients with hCG levels over 5,000 IU/L. Outcome analysis of patients with low-risk gestational trophoblastic tumor (GTT) treated with methotrexate/folinic acid indicates that hCG levels in excess of500 IU/L at 7 weeks after starting are an accurate predictor of impending methotrexate resistance. For patients with hCG values under 100 IU/L at the time of treatment, a review of the 30 most recent low-risk GTT patients demonstrates a 100% cure rate with standard treatment. Low-risk GTT following a molar pregnancy is a highly curable malignancy, and cure rates approaching 100% should be expected. National or regional organization of follow-up and treatment is simple, economic and associated with enhanced outcomes when appropriate treatment policies are followed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Charing Cross Hospital, London, UK. philip.savage@imperial.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Savage
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Seckl
authors.forename: Delia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Short
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood*; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005260:Female; D031901:Gestational Trophoblastic Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006828:Hydatidiform Mole / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002955:Leucovorin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D002955:Leucovorin; D008727:Methotrexate