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What Is Gestational Trophoblastic Disease?
Winning the battle against a life-threatening disease begins with being armed with essential information.
Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is a cluster of tumors that involve abnormal growth of cells inside the uterus of a woman. Unlike cervical cancer or endometrial cancer, GTD does not originate from cells of the uterus. Instead, these rare tumorous growths occur in the cells that would develop into the placenta during gestation (pregnancy). Gestational trophoblastic disease starts in the layer of cells called the trophoblast. The trophoblast layer encapsulates the embryo and develops into the placenta, the organ that protects and nourishes a growing fetus.
Treatment for cancerous gestational trophoblastic disease will depend on several factors, including a woman’s age, symptoms, personal health profile, and medications she may have undergone prior to New Hope Unlimited.
Gestational Trophoblastic Diseases We Treat at New Hope Unlimited
The main types of gestational trophoblastic diseases that are cancerous include:
Invasive Mole
This malignant form of GTD is a hydatidiform mole that has grown into the muscle layer of the uterus. An invasive mole or tumor that grows completely through the wall of the uterus might cause bleeding into the pelvic or abdominal cavity. This bleeding can be life-threatening.
Choriocarcinoma
Half of all gestational choriocarcinomas begin as molar pregnancies. About one-quarter develop in women who have a miscarriage, intentional abortion, or tubal pregnancy. It is more common than other types of GTD to grow quickly and spread to organs in other parts of the body.
Placental-site trophoblastic tumor
Placental-site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT) is an extremely rare form of GTD that forms where the placenta attaches to the wall of the uterus. This tumor most often emerges after pregnancy or an abortion, but it may likewise develop after a complete or partial mole is surgically removed.
Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor
Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT) is another rare type of GTD that can be located in the cervix. Like placental-site trophoblastic tumors, ETT most commonly occurs after a full-term pregnancy. However, it can take several years after the pregnancy for an epithelioid trophoblastic tumor to develop.
Gestational Trophoblastic Disease Symptoms
The symptoms of gestational trophoblastic disease may resemble those of a normal pregnancy. But the following symptoms could signal a problem:
- Unusual vaginal bleeding during or after pregnancy
- A larger uterus at a given point in the pregnancy
- High blood pressure at an early point in the pregnancy
- Severe headaches, nausea, and vomiting
- Swelling of the feet and hands
- Pain or pressure in the pelvic area
- Gestation in which the baby has not moved at the expected time
- Low blood pressure (anemia)
- Anxiety or increased irritability
- Severe sweating and shaking
- Unexplained weight loss
- Sleep problems
Occasionally, symptoms of GTD may appear weeks, months or even years after pregnancy. If experience any changes in your body or pregnancy, please talk with your doctor.
Gestational Trophoblastic Disease Risk Factors
Medical researchers have found many risk factors that might increase a woman's chance of developing malignant gestational trophoblastic disease:
- Previous molar pregnancy
- Previous miscarriage or intentional abortion
- Women with blood type A or AB are at slightly higher risk
- Women who take birth control pills
- A family history of molar pregnancies
- A long pause (more than 4 months) between the last and current menstrual period
- The uterus has become very large
- Women with GTD in the past
Being pregnant and a cancer patient is a complicated situation no woman should endure. If you have risk factors, discuss prevention with your physician.
Diagnostic Tests for Gestational Trophoblastic Disease
Early detection is key to improving your gestational trophoblastic disease prognosis. GTD is most often found as a result of abnormalities during pregnancy, or from the results of specific tests during routine prenatal care. The following procedures will help make an accurate diagnosis:
- Blood and urine tests
- Examination of the placenta
- Tests of spinal fluid
- Ultrasound (sonogram)
- Chest x-ray
- Computed tomography (CT) scan
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
Why Choose Us for Gestational Trophoblastic Disease Alternative Treatments?
Here at New Hope Unlimited, your treatment for cancerous gestational trophoblastic disease is personalized by a team of highly specialized experts in mainstream cancer treatments, and who additionally practice alternative medicine. Aside from cutting-edge treatments and world-class care, our medical team also handles meticulous monitoring and management programs to ensure cancer does not rule your life. Click here to learn about our cancer treatment strategy.
Our Approach
Advanced Treatments for Gestational Trophoblastic Disease
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Patient SatisfactionOur Patient-Centric Medical Facilities
At New Hope Unlimited, we pride ourselves in providing superior comfort, cleanliness, and cancer care at our 8,000 square foot medical treatment center in San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico. We worked with renowned architects and contractors to create the ideal space for recovery, which includes state-of-the-art lounge areas and spacious private in-rooms that assure the comfort of our patients and their loved ones. To make our patients feel right at home, we equip each private ward with high-definition U.S. television, quality bedding, and high-speed internet connection. And with proper nutrition playing a vital role in cancer recovery, New Hope Unlimited also fulfills the dietary needs of each patient using fresh, organic produce to prepare breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and dinners. Comfort and cleanliness are also strictly implemented in our medical treatment rooms, which are equipped with the latest medical supplies and technology to provide the highest standard of care and treatment. Our medical center also has an in-house Hyperbaric Chamber, a well-established therapy for decompression sickness, exclusively available for our patients’ use. Further, New Hope Unlimited has maintained its exceptional partnership with Hospital Migoo, a medical group composed of certified physicians and specialists committed to our patients’ care and well-being.Stories of New Hope
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FAQs
1. At what age is gestational trophoblastic disease more common?
GTD affects women of childbearing age. According to the American Cancer Society, the risk of complete molar pregnancy is higher in women over age 35 and younger than age 20. The risk is higher for women aged 45 and older. For choriocarcinoma, the risk is lower before turning 25 and then increases with age until menopause.2. What specific treatments does New Hope Unlimited offer?
From complete body detoxification to systemic enzyme therapy, learn more about our unique combination of conventional and alternative cancer treatments for gestational trophoblastic disease and other cancer types.