File:Hydatidiform mole.jpg

Hydatidiform mole

Several forms of hydatidiform mole: partial mole, complete mole and persistent gestational trophoblastic tumor. (More? mole types). Many of these tumours arise from a haploid sperm fertilizing an egg without a female pronucleus (the alternative form, an embryo without sperm contribution, is called parthenogenesis). The tumour has a "grape-like" placental appearance without enclosed embryo formation. Following a first molar pregnancy, there is approximately a 1% risk of a second molar pregnancy.

ACT Pathology Description

Macroscopic: The specimen is an enlarged uterus (140x140x100mm, weighing 725g) with right and left ovaries and fallopian tubes attached. Opening the uterus shows a cavity filled with a grape-like mass. The wall of the uterus is thickened and fibrous.

Microscopic: The sections show an interlacing structure within the fibrous lesion. Sections of the cystic contents show numerous dilated and mucoid degenerate proliferative chorionic villi.

Image Source: ACT Pathology, used with permission.

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