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Partial Mole
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Partial Mole

This is tissue that was removed from the uterus.
Note the macerated fetal structure at the white arrow.
The remaining tissue is placental tissue.
The yellow arrows show some hydropic, enlarged chorionic villi which have a "grape-like" appearance.
(Description By:Melinda Sanders, M.D. )
(Image Contrib. by: )
Hydatidiform Mole
Etiology

Unknown
Pathogenesis

Dispermic fertilization of an ovum with loss of maternal chromosome complement or duplication of paternal chromosome with loss of maternal genetic material
Results in diploid chromosome numbers that are usually paternal XX
No embryo formation
Excessive trophoblastic proliferation
Partial mole is usually triploid with dispermic fertilization of an ovum with retention of maternal chromosome.,
Epidemiology

Prevalence varies in different populations with approximately 1-2/2000 gestations estimated in the U.S.
May give rise to invasive mole (chorioadenoma destruans) or provide substrate for the development of gestational choriocarcinoma
General Gross Description

Disorganized mass of massively dilated "grape-like" villi in complete mole
Partial mole with variably sized villi.
General Microscopic Description

Greatly enlarged avascular villi with central spaces (cisternae)
Surrounding stroma is relatively pale staining and acellular
Trophoblast may show abundant non-polar differentiation
Invasive mole determined by invasion of molar villi into underlying myometrium
Partial mole will show smaller villi lacking cisternae or prominent trophoblast
Partial moles will exhibit trophoblast inclusions, complex villus outlines, and be relatively devoid of vascularity.
Clinical Correlation

Usually cured by surgical evacuation of uterine contents
Followed with serial HCG's to monitor for persistent trophoblast
May treat with methotrexate
References

Benirschke K, Kaufmann P. Pathology of the human placenta, 3rd ed. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1995, pp. 655-653.
Hydatidiform Mole
Synopsis by: Melinda Sanders M.D. (T88100M91000)[426]
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