Invasive mole in a perimenopausal woman: a case report and systematic review

Objective: Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is a term used for a group of pregnancy-related tumors. We present a case of a perimenopausal woman with invasive mole. A systematic review was performed to identify reports on GTD in older women and to determine adequate treatment options.

Case: A 51-year-old perimenopausal woman was admitted to hospital with abdominal feeling of pressure and nausea. Diagnostic curettage revealed hydatidiform mole. She also presented symptomatic hyperthyroidism. After treatment (betablockers, carbimazole) the patient underwent abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral oophorosalpingectomy. Histopathological examination confirmed an invasive hydatidiform mole (IHM). Serum-β-hCG has decreased from initially 300000unit/L to 100unit/L after four weeks.

Data Sources: A systematic review was performed to identify all prior cases of GTD in women over 50. We searched in Medline, The Cochrane Library and Embase to identify any articles published after 1970 and before Oct 31, 2013 pertaining to GTD in older woman (50 years or older).

Tabulation, Integration, Results: 10 records were included in the systematic review, involving 203 cases of trophoblastic disease in older women. Although the diagnosis of GTD in older women is rare it should be considered in patients with suspicious intrauterine findings in transvaginal ultrasound examinations. Different treatments were performed. In a limited number of reports older women with GTD underwent initial hysterectomy. Benefits are avoidance of chemotherapy-induced toxicity and reduced risk of recurrence.

Conclusion: GTD is very rare in peri-or postmenopausal women. Treatment has to be individualized and hysterectomy can be considered as an appropriate option.