Hydatidiform mole

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Uterus

Normal uterine anatomy (cut section)

Hydatidiform mole

Definition:

A hydatidiform mole is a rare mass or growth that may form inside the uterus at the beginning of a pregnancy. See also choriocarcinoma.

Alternative Names:

Hydatid mole; Molar pregnancy

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

A hydatidiform mole results from over-production of the tissue that is supposed to develop into the placenta. The placenta normally nourishes a fetus during pregnancy. Instead, these tissues develop into a mass. The mass is usually made up of placental material that grows uncontrolled. Often, there is no fetus at all.

The cause is not completely understood. Potential causes may include defects in the egg, abnormalities within the uterus, or nutritional deficiencies. Women under 20 or over 40 years of age have a higher risk. Other risk factors include diets low in protein, folic acid, and carotene.

Review Date: 10/25/2004
Reviewed By: Peter Chen, M.D., Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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