Gestational Trophoblastic Disease Diagnosis

At MD Anderson, our pathologists, diagnostic radiologists and specially trained technicians use the most modern and accurate equipment to diagnose gestational trophoblastic disease and its stage, which increases the likelihood of a successful treatment.

Gestational trophoblastic tumor diagnostic tests

During diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic disease, your doctor will review your medical history and perform a physical exam. It may also include one or more of the following:

Pelvic exam: This is done to feel the size, shape, and position of the uterus and ovaries. The vagina, cervix, fallopian tubes and rectum are also checked.

Transvaginal ultrasound: This ultrasound test uses a small probe that is placed in the vagina to look at the uterus and nearby tissue.

Blood tests: Doctors use blood samples to measure markers (such as beta hCG) that may be indicate gestational trophoblastic disease.

If cancer cells are found, additional tests can confirm if the disease has spread to other parts of the body. These may include:

• Chest X-ray
• CT or CAT (computed axial tomography) scans
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans

Gestational trophoblastic tumor staging

(Source: National Cancer Institute)

If you are diagnosed with gestational trophoblastic disease, your doctor will determine the stage of the disease. Staging is a way of classifying how much disease is in the body and where it has spread when it is diagnosed. This helps your doctor plan the best way to treat the disease.

There is no staging system for hydatidiform moles as they are benign. The following stages are used for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia:

Stage I: In stage I, the tumor is in the uterus only.

Stage II: In stage II, the tumor has spread beyond the uterus to the ovary, fallopian tube, vagina, and/or the connective tissues around the uterus.

Stage III: In stage III, the tumor has spread to the lung(s), with or without spread to the ovary, fallopian tube, vagina and/or the connective tissues around the uterus.

Stage IV: In stage IV, the tumor has spread to distant parts of the body other than the lungs such as the liver, abdominal cavity and/or brain.