Further tests for persistent trophoblastic disease and choriocarcinoma

This page tells you about further tests you might have if your doctor has diagnosed persistent trophoblastic disease or choriocarcinoma, which are types of gestational trophoblastic tumours (GTTs). There is information about

A quick guide to what's on this page
What GTTs are
Blood and urine tests
Chest X-ray
Scans
Lumbar puncture
After your tests

Further tests for persistent trophoblastic disease and choriocarcinoma

If you have had a molar pregnancy and your hCG levels are normal you are unlikely to need any further tests. But if your doctor thinks there is some molar tissue left behind after surgery, or that it has spread to another part of your body, you will need further tests.

If you need further tests, you will have a chest X-ray. This is to check for any spread of disease to your lungs. You may need an ultrasound scan, CT scan or, more rarely, an MRI scan. These look for signs of the tumour in your abdomen (tummy), brain and liver. Some women may need a lumbar puncture to check for tumour cells in the fluid that circulates around the brain and spinal cord.

After your tests

You may be able to get the results of your tests on the same day. If not, waiting for your test results can be an anxious time. You may find it helpful to talk about your feelings with a close friend or relative.

CR PDF Icon You can view and print the quick guides for all the pages in the diagnosing persistent trophoblastic disease and choriocarcinoma section.

Persistent trophoblastic disease and choriocarcinoma are types of tumour that form in the womb after a molar pregnancy or some normal pregnancies. This link takes you to general information about gestational trophoblastic tumours.

If you have had a molar pregnancy and your hCG levels are normal you probably won't need any further tests. But if your doctor thinks there is some molar tissue left behind after surgery, or that it has spread to another part of your body, you will need to have further tests.

After removal of the molar pregnancy with surgery, you will need to have regular tests to check the level of hCG hormone in your blood and urine. This hormone should disappear when the molar tissue is gone from your body. But if your blood and urine still show hCG, it is a sign that there is still molar tissue growing somewhere in your body. This might mean there is some molar tissue left in your womb. Or it may have spread to another part of your body. Your doctor will need to do further tests to check for signs of any spread. The results of these tests are used for staging your disease and planning treatment.

You will have a chest X-ray to check for any spread to your lungs. This is the most common place for persistent trophoblastic disease or choriocarcinoma to spread.

If you have choriocarcinoma, or your doctors think you have it, after a normal pregnancy, you may need an ultrasound scan, CT scan or an MRI scan. These are all ways of looking for signs of the tumour in your abdomen (tummy), brain and liver. Ultrasound scans use sound waves and a CT scan takes a series of X-rays through sections of the body. MRI scanners use magnetism to build up a picture of the inside of the body. There is information about having a CT scan, an MRI scan and an ultrasound scan in the cancer tests section of CancerHelp UK.

Some women may need a lumbar puncture to check for tumour cells in the fluid that circulates around the brain and spinal cord (cerebrospinal fluid). There is information about having a lumbar puncture in the cancer tests section of CancerHelp UK.

Once you have had the tests you need, the doctor can diagnose

The type of GTT you have
Whether it has spread to another part of your body

It may take a few days for the test results to be ready. Before you go home, the doctor or nurse will give you appointment to come back to get your results and see the doctor again.

While you are waiting for results it may help to talk to a close friend or relative about how you are feeling. Or you may want to contact a cancer support group to talk to someone who has been through the same experiences.

Our GTT organisations page gives details of people who can help and support you. You can also find details of counselling organisations in our counselling section. Our GTT reading list has information about books and leaflets on gestational trophoblastic tumours and their treatment.