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International Society for the Study of Trophoblastic Diseases
http://www.isstd.org/intro/#1
1. WHAT IS A HYDATIDIFORM MOLE?
A hydatidiform mole is an abnormality of fertilization. There are two types of hydatidiform mole, complete and partial. With complete mole the chromosomal genetic material from the ovum (egg) is lost, by a process that is yet not understood. Fertilization then occurs with one or two sperm and an androgenic (from the male only) conceptus (fertilized egg) is formed. With this conceptus the embryo (fetus, baby) does not develop at all but the placenta does grow but it is abnormal and forms lots of cysts and has no blood vessels. These cysts look like a cluster of grapes and that is why it is called a hydatidiform mole (grape like). A hydatidiform mole miscarries by about 16 to 18 weeks gestational age. Since the diagnosis can be made by ultrasound before that time, it is better for you to have an evacuation of the uterus (D & C) so that there is no undue bleeding and no infection. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) will assist in making the diagnosis.
The other type of hydatidiform mole is called a partial mole and this is also a genetically abnormal pregnancy. In this case there are three sets of chromosomes instead of the usual two and this is called triploidy. With such a pregnancy the chromosomal (genetic) material from the ovum (egg) is retained and the egg is fertilized by one or two sperm. Since with partial mole there are maternal chromosomes there is a fetus but because of the three sets of chromosomes this fetus is always grossly abnormal and will not survive
http://www.isstd.org/intro/#1
1. WHAT IS A HYDATIDIFORM MOLE?
A hydatidiform mole is an abnormality of fertilization. There are two types of hydatidiform mole, complete and partial. With complete mole the chromosomal genetic material from the ovum (egg) is lost, by a process that is yet not understood. Fertilization then occurs with one or two sperm and an androgenic (from the male only) conceptus (fertilized egg) is formed. With this conceptus the embryo (fetus, baby) does not develop at all but the placenta does grow but it is abnormal and forms lots of cysts and has no blood vessels. These cysts look like a cluster of grapes and that is why it is called a hydatidiform mole (grape like). A hydatidiform mole miscarries by about 16 to 18 weeks gestational age. Since the diagnosis can be made by ultrasound before that time, it is better for you to have an evacuation of the uterus (D & C) so that there is no undue bleeding and no infection. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) will assist in making the diagnosis.
The other type of hydatidiform mole is called a partial mole and this is also a genetically abnormal pregnancy. In this case there are three sets of chromosomes instead of the usual two and this is called triploidy. With such a pregnancy the chromosomal (genetic) material from the ovum (egg) is retained and the egg is fertilized by one or two sperm. Since with partial mole there are maternal chromosomes there is a fetus but because of the three sets of chromosomes this fetus is always grossly abnormal and will not survive