Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD)

About

The gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) service at Charing Cross Hospital is a highly specialist service providing comprehensive registration, screening and clinical management for all forms of the disease.

Our internationally renowned GTD team are world leaders in the investigation and treatment of these rare conditions. Charing Cross Hospital is one of only two hospitals in the UK designated to treat GTD – registering around 1,200 women and treating around 120 women. We have a 100 per cent cure rate for patients identified through our registration and screening facility. Our service has the largest database of GTD patients in the world, holding records of over 35,000 women with the condition. This provides excellent data for research and audit, leading to excellent outcomes, improved treatment and better services for patients.

Conditions and treatments

GTD is a general term used to cover several diseases that occur during or following pregnancy. These include non-malignant (non-cancerous) partial and complete hydatidiform mole and the malignant (cancerous) invasive mole, as well as choriocarcinoma, and placental site trophoblastic tumour.

Most patients will not have heard of molar pregnancies, trophoblasts or choriocarcinoma, prior to their diagnosis, and finding reliable advice on the internet can be challenging.

Ninety per cent of women with GTD will not need to be seen at the hospital and will be monitored via the postal system with access to our advisory service for results and advice. In some cases, further treatment is required. Treatment for GTD is usually chemotherapy (drug treatment), but surgery is sometimes an option.

Additional information

Education

We welcome short and long term placements for visiting doctors both nationally and internationally who have an interest in GTD. Nurses with an interest in GTD are also welcome to visit. Please contact ichc.hmole@nhs.net.

Patient drop-in sessions

Bi-monthly patient drop-in sessions are held in February, April, June, August, October and December each year. Newly diagnosed patients are invited to attend the sessions, which are held at Charing Cross Hospital. For further information please contact the advisory team on 020 3311 1409.

Further online resources

• Molar Pregnancy
• Cancer Treatment and Research Trust – Charing Cross Hospital  – the Cancer Treatment and Research Trust is a charitable fund set up to enable us to undertake research into the diseases we diagnose and treat. Visit this site for further information about how you can support our research.
• International Society for the Study of Trophoblastic Diseases (ISSTD) – the ISSTD is the official medical agency for physicians treating hydatidiform mole, PSTT, and choriocarcinoma. It holds biennial symposia for its members, for more information please visit their website.
• Sheffield Trophoblastic Disease Centre – the Sheffield Trophoblastic Disease Centre screens for gestational trophoblastic tumours and a spectrum of disorders including hydatidiform mole and choriocarcinoma.
• My Molar Pregnancy – information, personal stories, and support for women with molar pregnancy. This site is for women with molar pregnancy or who want to know more about it, without the medical jargon. Here you'll find the help and support you need.
• Miscarriage Association – the Miscarriage Association provides support and information for anyone affected by miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or molar pregnancy.
• Cancer Research UK