RECURRENT CONSECUTIVE PARTIAL MOLAR PREGNANCY

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is rare. Recurrent GTD, though occurring in only 0.6-2.6% of subsequent pregnancies, has significant clinicopathological implications. These include risk of malignant sequelae and subsequent poor reproductive performance. The cytogenetics and histopathology of complete and partial moles differ, yet there are several clinicopathological similarities. Although complete hydatidiform moles are known to recur, very little is known about recurrent partial vesicular moles in world literature. We report here on a patient with four consecutive recurrent partial hydatidiform moles who is yet to achieve a normal pregnancy. Her third molar pregnancy was further complicated by severe thyrotoxicosis. The unusual histology and the progressively more aggressive clinical course are discussed. The small risk of malignant sequelae and the need for close endocrinological monitoring are highlighted, as are her chances of yet another recurrent GTD. © 1992.