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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffA molar pregnancy — also known as hydatidiform mole — is a noncancerous (benign) tumor that develops in the uterus. A molar pregnancy occurs when the placenta develops into an abnormal mass of cysts rather than becoming a viable pregnancy.
Molar pregnancy is a type of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD). In a complete molar pregnancy, there's no embryo or normal placental tissue. In a partial molar pregnancy, there's an abnormal embryo and possibly some normal placental tissue. The embryo begins to develop but is malformed and can't survive.
A molar pregnancy can have serious complications — including a rare form of cancer — and requires early treatment. Careful monitoring after a molar pregnancy can help preserve the chance for future healthy pregnancies.
- Early pregnancy loss: Miscarriage and molar pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp090.cfm. Accessed Aug. 14, 2009.
- Ectopic and molar pregnancy. March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1189.asp. Accessed Aug. 14, 2009.
- Copeland LJ, et al. Malignant diseases in pregnancy. In: Gabbe SG, et al. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2007:1.
- Garner EIO. Gestational trophoblastic disease: Management of hydatidiform mole. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 17, 2009.
- Berek JS. Gestational trophoblastic disease: Pathology. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 17, 2009.
- Chang JW, et al. Gestational trophoblastic disease: Epidemiology, clinical manifestations and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 17, 2009.
- Garner EIO. Malignant gestational trophoblastic disease: Staging and treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 17, 2009.
- Kavanagh JJ, et al. Comprehensive gynecology. Gestational trophoblastic disease: Hydatidiform mole, nonmetastatic and metastatic gestational trophoblastic tumor — Diagnosis and management. In: Katz VL, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:1.
- Dilation and curettage. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp062.cfm. Accessed Aug. 18, 2009.
- Al-Hussaini TK, et al. Recurrent pregnancy loss due to familial and non-familial habitual molar pregnancy. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2003;83:179.
- Harms RW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 16, 2009.
