A histopathological profile of gestational trophoblastic disease in the Madinah Region of Saudi Arabia: A single institute experience

Abstract

Background: Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is a rare and often curable group of diseases that has a large range of morphological features, sometimes making the diagnosis difficult.

Aim: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the pathological frequency and histopathological profile of GTD diagnoses in the Madinah region of Saudi Arabia (KSA).

Materials and methods: The computerized record of the pathology department of the Maternity and Children's Hospital (MCH) in Madinah, KSA, was reviewed from July 2015 to June 2021. During the study period, all the pathology reports with diagnosis of GTD were included in the study for the following parameters: age, nationality, year of diagnosis, type of GTD, and total annual number of pregnancies. Simple statistical analysis was performed, utilizing the SPSS-19 software.

Results: A total of 289 cases of GTD were diagnosed during the study period. The mean age was 33.47 ± 9.3, and most of the patients (n = 106, 36.2%) were in the fourth decade [31-40 age group]. Histologically, the most common type diagnosed was Hydatidiform mole [HM] (n = 284, 98.6%), followed by three cases of trophoblastic neoplasm (1.0%) and one case of tumor-like condition called exaggerated placental site (0.3%). Complete HM (n = 53, 50%) was common in the fourth decade, whereas partial HM (n = 50, 53.8%) was common in the third decade.

Conclusion: In the Al Madinah region of KSA, the most common type of GTD in women was HM. Most GTD cases were found in women between the ages of 31 to 40 years. The frequency of GTD, its histopathological subtypes are consistent with most of the studies on GTD; however, larger studies involving multiple centers are recommended, for confirmation of present study's findings.

Keywords: Gestational trophoblastic disease; histopathological profile; hydatidiform mole; retrospective.