|
A hydatidiform mole in which there is no embryo or fetus. The size of the uterus is often larger than expected from the date of the last menstrual period, often with a high level of serum hCG; there may be bleeding; and there is a classic abnormal appearance on transvaginal ultrasound. Caused by pregnancy following abnormal fertilization in which the oocyte is “empty”, that is it loses its pronucleus, and either (1) the male pronucleus from a single fertilizing sperm doubles (the karyotype of the mole is then always 46,XX, because 46,YY is immediately lethal) or (2) there are two male pronuclei from two fertilizing sperm (in which case the karyotype is either 46,XX or 46,XY). Treatment is by vacuum curettage, but there is a persisting danger of cancer (choriocarcinoma) and specialist medical follow-up is essential
|
