The gynecologist's role in preventing overdiagnosis of ectopic molar pregnancy: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Ectopic hydatidiform mole is a rare, yet overdiagnosed, entity. A diagnosis of ectopic molar pregnancy requires close follow-up, has implications on future fertility, and may require chemotherapy. Patients diagnosed with a hydropic abortus do not require hormone surveillance or abstinence from pregnancy for the extended time period generally recommended for patients diagnosed with a complete or partial hydatidiform mole. The correct classification of products of conception is clinically important because each of the three diagnoses has a different potential for malignant transformation.


METHODS
A 29-year-old woman, G5P2104, with ectopic pregnancy and without clinical or laboratory data suspicious for molar pregnancy required ancillary histopathologic testing for accurate diagnosis.


CONCLUSIONS
This case illustrates the vital role of the gynecologist in assimilating information to prevent over-diagnosis of ectopic molar pregnancy. General gynecologists must therefore understand the histopathologic options available for differentiating hydropic products of conception, partial hydatidiform mole and complete hydatidiform mole.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Florida, 2 Tampa General Circle, STC 6th Floor, Tampa, FL 33606, USA. mona_mccullough@yahoo.com
Mona C
MC
McCullough
Stuart
S
Hart
Enid
E
Gilbert-Barnes
William N
WN
Spellacy
D000328:Adult; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000097:blood; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology; D006801:Humans; D006828:Hydatidiform Mole / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D010819:Physician's Role; D011247:Pregnancy; D011274:Pregnancy, Tubal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology
D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human