Is hydatidiform mole a malignant disease? Can it be cured?

Hydatidiform mole is malignant and can be cured, but it needs to be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. If discovered early, most patients can recover completely after timely surgery or chemotherapy. Treatment methods include curettage and chemotherapy, and regular monitoring is required to avoid recurrence or malignant transformation.

1) The etiology and malignant characteristics of hydatidiform mole

Hydatidiform mole is a pregnancy-related disease, which is often caused by abnormal fertilization, leading to abnormal development of placental villi and vesicular hyperplasia. Some hydatidiform moles may develop into invasive hydatidiform mole or even choriocarcinoma, thus having a malignant tendency. The main causes of hydatidiform mole include genetic factors, age (women of advanced age or premature pregnancy have a higher risk), malnutrition (such as lack of folic acid or vitamin A) and previous history of hydatidiform mole.

2) Treatment: timely surgery and necessary chemotherapy

(1) Uterine curettage: After confirming the diagnosis of hydatidiform mole, the doctor will usually perform suction curettage or curettage to remove the diseased tissue.

(2) Chemotherapy: If there are signs of malignant transformation (such as continued increase in HCG levels), chemotherapy intervention is required. Commonly used drugs include methotrexate (MTX) or arterial infusion chemotherapy to inhibit further spread of lesions.

(3) Hysterectomy: For patients who no longer consider fertility, severe invasive lesions may require hysterectomy to reduce the risk of recurrence.

3) Post-treatment monitoring and pregnancy planning recommendations

After treatment, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) levels need to be tested regularly every week or month to monitor recovery, which usually takes six months to a year. If the patient recovers well and plans to get pregnant again, it is recommended to delay pregnancy for 1-2 years under the guidance of a doctor.

Even if hydatidiform mole has the potential to be malignant, with timely diagnosis and treatment, the patient has a good survival prognosis. It is important to seek medical attention in a timely manner to receive professional diagnosis and complete follow-up visits as recommended by the doctor to ensure physical and mental health and future pregnancy safety.