Recent advances have increased our understanding of gestational trophoblast
ic disease, and epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that there are impo
rtant differences in risk factors for complete and partial mole. Complete m
oles are now increasingly being diagnosed in the first trimester, affecting
their clinical presentation and pathologic characteristics. While importan
t advances have been made in chemotherapy, it is note recognized that etopo
side is associated with a risk of second tumors. Several studies have advan
ced understanding of the molecular biology of gestational trophoblastic dis
ease, and this is important for the eventual development of new and innovat
ive therapy.