Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is a group of several diseases that involve abnormal cell growth in placental tissue in the uterus.

About GTD

Unlike cervical and uterine cancers, GTD does not develop from uterine cells, but from the tissue that begins to develop after sperm fertilizes and egg.

There are four types of gestational trophoblastic diseases:

• Hydatidiform mole
• Invasive or persistent GTD
• Choriocarcinoma
• Placental site trophoblastic tumors

Not all of these diseases are cancerous, but all are treatable. Learn more about the types of GTD.

Treatment for GTD

The Duke Gynecologic Oncology Program offers comprehensive treatment for all kinds of GTDs. Though at one time GTDs were quite dangerous, all forms of GTDs are now treatable.

Most patients are completely cured following initial treatment, though some may need additional procedures to get rid of the disease altogether.

Surgery and chemotherapy are the most common treatments for GTD. Radiation therapy may be used in some cases to treat cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

Hydatidiform moles are treated with dilation and curettage (D&C), a procedure where the mole is taken out using a vacuum-like device and the uterine walls are gently scraped to remove any remaining material.

Other types of GTDs can be treated with a hysterectomy to remove the uterus and cervix. Learn more about surgery for gynecologic cancers.

Duke physicians are among the leaders in adapting laparoscopic and robotic surgical approaches to the treatment of gynecologic cancers. Minimally invasive surgery facilitates quicker recovery and better cosmetic results with equally good cancer outcomes compared to open surgery. 

Appointments

Learn how to make an appointment at the Duke Cancer Institute.