title: Gestational trophoblastic disease: Regional perspective in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To give an overview of gestational trophoblastic disease in a referral center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 1960 to December 2008, 4,290 registered patients were followed at the Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia Referral Center of Rio de Janeiro. All cases of complete and partial moles and of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) were included and analyzed. Diagnosis, uterine evacuation, follow-up, chemotherapy and hysterectomy were reviewed in all patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The historical progression of molar pregnancy to GTN was 19.1%, decreasing to 11.6% in the last 9 years. The overall survival rate was 92.5% in patients with GTN.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the intensive activities of the several Brazilian Referral Centers, governmental authorities do not consider gestational trophoblastic disease relevant and do not support any programs in its management. Official health data still omit vital statistics information on gestational trophoblastic disease.
authors.affiliation: Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia Referral Center, Santa Casa da Misericordia, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. belfortp@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Belfort
authors.forename: Angela M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Baptista
authors.forename: Oswaldo Cardoso
authors.initials: OC
authors.lastname: Valle Filho
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006828:Hydatidiform Mole / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D015994:Incidence; D011247:Pregnancy; D015995:Prevalence; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery