Gestational Trophoblastic Disease (GTD): a 10 year review of clinicopathological features of cases seen at University of Benin Teaching Hosptial, Benin City.

Abstract

Gestational trophoblastic disease: a 10 year review of clinicopathological features of cases seen at University of Benin Teaching Hosptial, Benin City.Annals Biomedical Sciences 2002; 1:94-99. Gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTD) are common among Nigerian women in their reproductive life. They are important in that they present a unique opportunity for early detection and cure. This study aimed at identifying the various histological types encountered in Benin City and defining their epidemiology, clinical presentations and management. Forty-eight cases of histologically diagnosed GTD between 1989 and 1998 at University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City, were reviewed and analysed. A frequency of 1: 252 deliveries was observed. Hydatidiform moles were the most prevalent (87.5%). Of these partial moles were the commonest (47.9%), followed by choriocarcinoma (12.5%) and invasive moles (2.1%). Over a third (35.4%) of endometrial curratage specimen were not recognized grossly as GTD by the attending physicians. The incidence occurred in 2nd and 3rd decades of life. As high as 35.4% of the patients were lost to follow-up. These findings emphasize the need for careful assessment of all pregnant women in the early trimesters, the importance of histological examination of products of abortion, proper education of these patients before they are discharged and involvement of social workers in contact tracing as a means of preventing the sequele of GTD.

Keywords: Female, Conception, Gestational trophoblastic disease.

Annals of Biomedical Science Vol. 1 (2) 2002: pp. 94-99