Hydatidiform Mole - Symptoms & Treatment

Hydatidiform mole is a strange abnormality of pregnancy in which the placental tissue alone develops in much the same way as it does in a blighted ovum. In hydatidiform mole, however, the chorionic villi continue to develop and multiply so that instead of producing a smaller amount of chorionic gonadotrophin they produce an excessive quantity and thus guarantee that the 'pregnancy' continues. A pregnancy test will be positive even when the urine is diluted more than 200 times which gives some indication of the amount of hormone being produced by the hydatidiform mole. The chorionic villi gradually become distended and cystic so that the whole uterus is filled with a mass of tissue which resembles a bunch of small grapes.

Hydatidiform mole is a rare, complication of pregnancy in Britain . All the signs and symptoms of early pregnancy are present and may frequently be rather excessive.It may be first suspected at about the 14th or 16th week of pregnancy when the uterus is much larger than it should be. This rapid enlargement may also cause intermittent bleeding. The diagnosis may be very difficult, especially in the early stages of pregnancy although the continuous intermittent loss of a small amount of bright or darkish blood may arouse suspicion. No fetal movements will be felt and a fetal heart will not be heard. The findings on ultrasonic scan are diagnostic and this should be performed as soon as possible if a hydatidiform mole is suspected. The diagnosis may alsobe confirmed by repeated findings of a pos-itive pregnancy test when the urine is diluted more than 200 times.

A hydatidiform mole must be removed from the uterus and this is usually done by dilatation of the cervix followed by curettage or aspiration while the woman is anaesthetized. Alternatively, she may be given Syntocinon, or a similar hormone, such as prostaglandin, to make the uterus contract sufficiently to expel its contents, after which curettage is performed to ensure that the uterus is completely empty. Following this, she is regularly followed up with urine and blood samples for about a yearto ensure that there is no further growth of tissue. This condition is monitored in Britain by centres at the Charing Cross Hospital , London and at Sheffield ; once they give the 'all clear', then the woman may go ahead with another pregnancy.

Symptoms and Complications of Hydatidiform Mole

Here is the list of some of the common symptoms and complications of Hydatidiform Mole are :

• Nausea and vomiting, severe enough to require hospitalization in 10% of cases
• Excessive growth in approximately 1/2 of cases
• Smaller-than-expected growth in approximately 1/3 of cases
• Rapid heart rate
• Restlessness, nervousness
• Heat intolerance
• Unexplained weight loss
• Loose stools
• Trembling hands
• Skin warmer and more moist than usual
• High blood pressure
• Swelling in feet, ankles, legs