Risks and causes of persistent trophoblastic disease and choriocarcinoma
This page tells you about the risk factors and causes of persistent trophoblastic disease and choriocarcinoma. There is information about
Risks and causes of persistent trophoblastic disease and choriocarcinoma
We don’t yet know what causes choriocarcinoma, but we do know of some risk factors. Gestational trophoblastic tumours (GTTs) as a group are rare. Choriocarcinomas are extremely rare, with about 10 cases per year in the UK.
The risk of choriocarcinoma is slightly higher in women under 18 and much higher in women over 45.
Women from Asian countries have a higher risk of GTT, with about 1 for every 380 babies born, compared to around 1 for every 750 babies born in the UK. (There is only one choriocarcinoma for every 50,000 to 100,000 births in the UK.)
If you have had a complete molar pregnancy, you have about a 1 in 6 chance (15%) of developing either persistent trophoblastic disease or a choriocarcinoma. For women who have a partial molar pregnancy the risk is only 1 in 200 (0.5%).
You can view and print the quick guides for all the pages in the about persistent trophoblastic disease and choriocarcinoma section.
Persistent trophoblastic disease and choriocarcinoma belong to a group of tumours known as gestational trophoblastic tumours (GTT for short). Persistent trophoblastic disease means a molar pregnancy that needs further treatment after a D and C operation. Choriocarcinomas are extremely rare (with about 10 cases per year in the UK). They can occur some time after any type of pregnancy (including miscarriages or terminations). But it is more likely after a molar pregnancy.
A risk factor is anything that can increase your chance of developing cancer. Each type of cancer has different risk factors. Researchers have not yet been able to identify what causes GTT, but we do know of some factors that increase a woman's risk of developing it.
Remember - having one or more risk factors does not mean that you will definitely get GTT. Most people who have one or more of the risk factors never have a GTT, and some people who have none of the risk factors do develop the disease. This is only a guide to what might increase your risk.
Gestational trophoblastic tumours are very rare. In the UK there is 1 case of a molar pregnancy for every 1,000 pregnancies (or for every 750 babies born). Choriocarcinoma only happens in around 1 case for every 50,000 to 100,000 babies born.
Your risk of developing a molar pregnancy and persistent trophoblastic disease changes with age. The risk of developing it is slightly higher in women under the age of 18 and much higher in women over the age of 45.
Molar pregnancies and persistent trophoblastic disease are slightly more common in women from Asian countries than in women from other ethnic groups. In Asia, and in Asian women living in the UK, there is about 1 molar pregnancy for every 380 babies born, compared to around 1 molar pregnancy for every 750 babies born in the UK.
About 15 out of every 100 women (15%) who have had a complete molar pregnancy will go on to develop either persistent trophoblastic disease or a choriocarcinoma, and will need treatment with chemotherapy. For women who have had a partial molar pregnancy the risk is only 1 in 200 women (0.5%).
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