Pathology of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD)

Abstract

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is subclassified into hydatidiform mole (HM), gestational trophoblastic tumours (GTT) and non-neoplastic trophoblastic lesions. HM, partial and complete, originate from villous trophoblast and are considered as preneoplastic conditions. The risk for the development of persistent GTD, mostly as invasive HM, ranges from 0.5% to 20%, which depends on the type of molar pregnancy. The risk of development of trophoblastic tumour after PHM is <0.5% and 2%-3% after CHM. GTT represent a spectrum of neoplasms that originates from the intermediate, largely extravillous, trophoblast and these include choriocarcinoma (CC), placental site trophoblastic tumour (PSTT), epithelioid trophoblastic tumour (ETT) and mixed trophoblastic tumour. Among tumour like conditions, exaggerated placental site reaction (EPSR) and placental site nodule (PSN) (s)/plaque (s) are included. The morphological appearances of HM can be mimicked by abnormal (non-molar) villous lesions, and similarly, GTT can be mimicked both by non-malignant tumour-like conditions and non-gestational tumours with trophoblastic differentiation, which add to the diagnostic dilemma of these rare conditions. GTT have a favourable prognosis and better response to specific chemotherapeutic regimens when compared with non-gestational malignant genital tract neoplasms. The correct diagnosis and classification of these rare conditions are therefore important. This article focusses on the morphological appearances, immunocytochemistry as an aid in the diagnosis and the changes in current WHO classification of GTDs (WHO 2020).

Keywords: Choriocarcinoma; Epithelioid trophoblastic tumour; Exaggerated placental site reaction; Immunocytochemistry; Placental site nodule; Placental site trophoblastic tumour.