Molar Pregnancy
Alternate Names : Hydatiform Mole, Trophoblastic Disease, Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia
A molar pregnancy occurs when a fetus is not able to fully form in the uterus. Instead, the fetal tissue becomes a tumor.
What is going on in the body?
In the US, a molar pregnancy occurs in 1 out of every 2,000 pregnancies. In this condition, fetal cells have an abnormal genetic makeup and form a tumor. This tumor, or "mole," can grow and even spread to other parts of a mother's body. In some cases, the mole may turn into a more dangerous cancer called choriocarcinoma.
What are the causes and risks of the condition?
In this condition, abnormal fetal tissue inside a woman's uterus forms a tumor. The exact reason this occurs is not known. Common risk factors for this condition include:
a recent full-term pregnancy, abortion, miscarriage, or ectopic pregnancy
a previous molar pregnancy
being of Asian or Mexican descent
being younger than 20 or older than 40 years of age
being poor
a diet that is low in protein, folate, or beta-carotene
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