Molar pregnancy

This is a highly curable disease and the prognosis is good even when it has spread to other organs. If the disease is limited to the womb cavity, it is 100% curable, and less than 10 in every 100 women will require chemotherapy.

But if a woman gets pregnant too soon after the molar pregnancy, the risk of a recurrence is increased and the mole can be reactivated. Because the disease is assessed by measuring the levels of hCG hormone – usually only seen in pregnancy – it is important to avoid getting pregnant during the follow-up period. For the same reason, any hormone treatments, including the Pill, should not be used for at least three months after the ‘all clear’ has been given.

Your doctor will continue to monitor your condition for between six months and two years, depending on the type of mole. You may feel fine during this time but it is really important to continue with the monitoring process – any high or rising levels of hCG in your blood will warrant further investigation and treatment.

Most importantly, after the disease has been cured, you should be able to have a normal, healthy pregnancy and remain free from the disease for the rest of your life.

We are fortunate in the UK to have an effective registration and treatment programme for molar pregnancies. Charing Cross Hospital in London, Ninewells Hospital in Dundee and Weston Park Hospital in Sheffield are the three centres established in the UK to screen for gestational trophoblastic tumours, and they provide information and support for patients undergoing treatment.

Here are two useful websites which have further information:
Trophoblastic Disease Centre
Hydatidiform Mole and Choriocarcinoma UK information and support service.