Clinicopathologic Features of Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia in the Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

The pathogenesis of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) is complex; various etiological factors influence the wide variety of its distribution throughout the world. Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia encompasses a spectrum of benign and malignant lesions. The relative prevalence of benign versus malignant cases varies geographically. Most GTNs are benign and located in the uterus; benign and malignant GTNs do also arise outside the uterine body. Tubal hydatid moles (HMs) and primary choriocarcinomas are rare. Over a 3-year period, 119 cases of biopsy-diagnosed GTNs were prospectively collected: 70.6% were benign and 29.4% were malignant. Two HMs, or 2.4% of all HMs, were located in the tubes; 2 choriocarcinomas, or 6.5% of all malignant GTNs, originated in the tubes. Tubal GTNs accounted for 0.5% of 857 tubal ectopic pregnancies. There was no significant difference in the mean age of benign and malignant GTNs (P = 0.61). Four (11.4%) of the 35 malignant GTNs were HIV infected.