GESTATIONAL TROPHOBLASTIC DISEASES AS A CLINICAL ENTITY - A REVIEW

Gestational Trophoblastic Diseases (GTD) encompass a wide spectrum of disorders ranging from benign hydatidiform mole to malignant choriocar cinoma. The incidence varies in different countries: in the state of K erala 12/1000 deliveries are reported. GTD is unique in its high respo nse to therapy in spite df very little knowledge of its biology. Immun ologically, from the few reports available the GTD seems to behave sim ilarly to the normal placenta even though the role of the various cyto kines and regulation brought about by them has not yet been investigat ed. Recent advances in cytogenetics and molecular biology have brought to light some differences in mechanisms operating at molecular level in GTD. An understanding of the basic biology of these tumors is essen tial to identify tumors with high risk of malignant transformation and drug resistance. This paper reviews the present knowledge available o n the biology of GTD.