Hydatidiform mole

Definition: A gestational disorder characterized by an abnormal placenta with marked enlargement of the chorionic villi and hyperplasia of the villous trophoblastic cells. According to the amount of villous involvement, a hydatidiform mole is defined as complete or partial. Most molar pregnancies are complete and are characterized by generalized hydropic villous changes. Partial moles are characterized by a mixture of large hydropic villi and normal placenta tissue. Complete moles are usually diploid and typically present between the eleventh and twenty-fifth week of pregnancy, whereas partial moles are usually triploid and usually present around the nineteenth week of pregnancy. The incidence of choriocarcinoma is higher in patients with complete hydatidiform mole. When a hydatidiform mole invades the myometrium and broad ligament, or it is found in distant sites as vagina, vulva, and lung, it is referred as invasive mole.

Synonyms (terms occurring on more labels are shown first): hydatidiform mole, hydatidiform moles

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