B. Prabha et al., GESTATIONAL TROPHOBLASTIC DISEASES AS A CLINICAL ENTITY - A REVIEW, Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research, 14(3), 1995, pp. 239-246
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.