Molecular Basis of Gestational Trophoblastic Diseases

Authors: Shih L-m.; Kurman R.J.

Source: Current Molecular Medicine, Volume 2, Number 1, February 2002 , pp. 1-12(12)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) encompasses a diverse group of lesions with specific pathogenesis, morphological characteristics and clinical features. The modified World Health Organization-classification of GTD includes complete and partial hydatidiform mole, invasive mole, choriocarcinoma, placental site trophoblastic tumor, epithelioid trophoblastic tumor, exaggerated placental site, and placental site nodule. The various forms of gestational trophoblastic disease can be defined and related to discrete pathologic aberrations occurring at different stages of trophoblastic differentiation. Some of these lesions are true neoplasms, whereas others represent abnormally formed placentas with a predisposition for neoplastic transformation of the trophoblast. Except hydatidiform moles in which the cytogenetic studies have been extensively reported, the pathogenesis of other trophoblastic lesions is poorly understood. Recent studies have shed light on the molecular mechanisms of trophoblastic function, especially as it relates to trophoblastic disease. This review will focus on these advances with special emphasis on the pathogenesis of each specific form of GTD. In addition, the morphology and clinical behavior of each of these entities will be briefly discussed.

Keywords: Gestational Trophoblastic Diseases; Human trophoblast; Syncytiotrophoblast; Choriocarcinoma; Placental site trophoblastic pstt; Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor; Exaggerated placental site eps

Language: English

Document Type: Review article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1566524023362960

Publication date: 2002-02-01

• Current Molecular Medicine is an interdisciplinary journal focused on providing the readership with current and comprehensive reviews on fundamental molecular mechanisms of disease pathogenesis, the development of molecular-diagnosis and/or novel approaches to rational treatment. The reviews should be of significant interest to basic researchers and clinical investigators in molecular medicine. Periodically the journal will invite guest editors to devote an issue on a basic research area that shows promise to advance our understanding of the molecular mechanism(s) of a disease or has potential for clinical applications.

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• By this author: Shih L-m. ;  Kurman R.J.

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