Residual lung lesions after completion of chemotherapy for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia: should we operate?

Effect of lung metastasis on the treatment and prognosis of patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) is a highly invasive tumor, mainly spreading to the lungs. However, lung metastasis in GTN is usually not considered as an adverse prognostic factor. Therefore, the aim of this study was to summarize the results of previous studies and evaluate the effects of lung metastasis on the treatment and prognosis of GTN.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023372371). Electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and China Biomedical Literature Database were used for a systematical search of relevant studies published up to November 21, 2022. The observational studies reporting the clinical outcomes of GTN patients with and without lung metastasis were selected. The incidences of resistance, relapse, and mortality of GTN patients were extracted and successively grouped based on the presence of lung metastasis. The pooled relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of the eligible studies were calculated. The qualities of included studies were assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the certainty of evidence was graded based on the GRADE. The meta-analysis was performed using Stata 12.0 and GradePro software.

RESULTS

Five publications with 3629 GTN patients were included. The meta-analysis revealed that the GTN with lung metastasis was strongly correlated with first-line chemoresistance (pooled RR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.22 to 1.61, p < 0.001), recurrence (pooled RR = 3.03, 95% CI: 1.21 to 7.62, p = 0.018), and disease-specific death (pooled RR = 22.11, 95% CI: 3.37 to 145.08, p = 0.001). Ethnicity was also an important factor and Caucasian GTN patients with lung metastasis showed a higher risk of recurrence as revealed by the subgroup analysis (pooled RR = 5.10, 95% CI: 2.38 to 10.94, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

GTN patients with lung metastasis exhibited a higher risk of chemoresistance, relapse, and disease-specific death. Patients with lung metastasis among the Caucasian population had a higher risk of recurrence than Asian populations. Therefore, the presence of lung metastases might be considered as a high-risk factor for prognosis of GTN and deserves more attention in the choice of first-line chemotherapy regimens and follow-up.

Surgical Management of Gestational Trophoblastic Disease

BACKGROUND

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is a rare pregnancy-related condition consisting of premalignant and malignant forms arising from proliferation of trophoblastic cells. The malignant forms are collectively referred to as gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) and are highly sensitive to chemotherapy. However, surgical procedures remain indispensable in the diagnosis and treatment of GTD.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this review was to summarize surgical interventions in the treatment of GTD and GTN. We reviewed indications, efficacy, possible complications, and oncological outcomes of surgery.

METHODS

Three searches were performed in the databases of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to create an up-to-date overview of existing literature on the following subjects: (1) the role of primary hysterectomy in GTD and GTN; (2) the role of second curettage in GTD and GTN; (3) fertility sparing surgery in GTN; (4) surgical management of metastases. Included articles originated from the time period 1952-2022. Articles written in English, Spanish, and French were included.

OUTCOMES

Thirty-eight articles were found and selected. Surgical evacuation through suction curettage is most used and advised in the treatment of GTD. A second curettage could be beneficial in patients with low hCG levels and low FIGO scores. In women who have completed their families, primary hysterectomy might be considered as the risk of subsequent GTN is lower than after suction curettage. In case of the rare forms of GTN (epithelioid trophoblastic tumor or placental site trophoblastic tumor) surgical tumor resection remains the most important step in treatment. Data on fertility sparing surgery in GTN are scarce and this treatment should be considered experimental.

CONCLUSION AND OUTLOOK

Surgery remains an important part of treatment of GTD and is sometimes indispensable to achieve curation. Further collection of evidence is needed to determine treatment steps.

Pulmonary resection of residual lesions of pulmonary metastasis from gestational trophoblastic neoplasia

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prognosis and recurrence in patients with residual lesions of pulmonary metastasis from gestational trophoblastic neoplasia after initial treatment, and to explore the clinical significance of pulmonary resection.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on 606 patients with residual lesions from pulmonary metastasis after receiving standardized chemotherapy as initial treatment in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2002 to December 2018. Patients were divided into surgery (51 patients) and non-surgery (555 patients) groups. The prognosis of these patients was compared. Risk factors affecting recurrence were analyzed to explore the effect of pulmonary resection.

RESULTS

Among low risk patients, complete remission rate was 100% and recurrence rate was <1% in both groups. Among high risk patients, complete remission and recurrence rates were 93.5% and 10.3% in the surgery group and 94.7% and 14.3% in the non-surgery group, respectively. There was no significant difference in prognostic features between the two groups (all p>0.05). No significant difference was found in recurrence rates based on recurrence risk factors (≥3.2 cm residual lung lesions, prognosis score ≥9.0, and drug resistance) between the two groups (all p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

After standardized chemotherapy, pulmonary resection was not necessary for initially treated stage III gestational trophoblastic neoplasia patients whose blood β human chorionic gonadotropin levels normalized and residual lung lesions remained stable. These patients should be closely monitored during follow-up, regardless of the size of the residual lung lesions or high/low risk score, especially within a year after complete remission.

18F-FDG PET/CT May Predict Tumor Type and Risk Score in Gestational Trophoblastic Disease

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in predicting pathological prognostic factors, including tumor type and International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) score, in gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD).

METHODS

Retrospective monocentric study including 24 consecutive patients who underwent to 18F-FDG PET/CT from May 2005 to March 2021 for GTD staging purpose. The following semiquantitative PET parameters were measured from the primary tumor and used for the analysis: maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), SUVmean, metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolisis (TLG). Statistical analysis included Spearman correlation coefficient to evaluate the correlations between imaging parameters and tumor type (nonmolar trophoblastic vs postmolar trophoblastic tumors) and risk groups (high vs low, defined according to the FIGO score), whereas area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the predictive value of the PET parameters. Mann-Whitney U test was used to further describe the parameter's potential in differentiating the populations.

RESULTS

SUVmax and SUVmean resulted fair (AUC, 0.783; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.56-0.95) and good (AUC, 0.811; 95% CI, 0.59-0.97) predictors of tumor type, respectively, showing a low (ρ = 0.489, adjusted P = 0.030) and moderate (ρ = 0.538, adjusted P = 0.027) correlation. According to FIGO score, TLG was instead a fair predictor (AUC, 0.770; 95% CI, 0.50-0.99) for patient risk stratification.

CONCLUSIONS

18F-FDG PET parameters have a role in predicting GTD pathological prognostic factors, with SUVmax and SUVmean being predictive for tumor type and TLG for risk stratification.

Ten steps to establish a national centre for gestational trophoblastic disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) is a group of heterogeneous disorders characterized by abnormal proliferation of trophoblastic tissue. GTD is a rare disease that is curable in the vast majority of patients when managed appropriately. The aim of the review is to discuss the important steps necessary to establish a center of excellence for GTD.

RECENT FINDINGS

Care of patients with a rare disease is complicated by lack of strong evidence, scattering of patients across the country and limited expertise of medical professionals. The establishment of a center of excellence requires awareness of its benefit, funding, a solid business case and most of all dedicated clinicians. A multidisciplinary team and formulation of national guidelines are important steps before clinical pathways can be developed and treatment can be evaluated for improvement of care and research purposes. International embedding can facilitate the process and lead to the development of a (inter) national acknowledged sustainable center of excellence.

SUMMARY

Centers of excellence could optimize the care of patients with GTD and promote research.

Guideline No. 408: Management of Gestational Trophoblastic Diseases

OBJECTIVE

This guideline reviews the clinical evaluation and management of gestational trophoblastic diseases, including surgical and medical management of benign, premalignant, and malignant entities. The objective of this guideline is to assist health care providers in promptly diagnosing gestational trophoblastic diseases, to standardize treatment and follow-up, and to ensure early specialized care of patients with malignant or metastatic disease.

INTENDED USERS

General gynaecologists, obstetricians, family physicians, midwives, emergency department physicians, anaesthesiologists, radiologists, pathologists, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, residents, gynaecologic oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons, general practitioners in oncology, oncology nurses, pharmacists, physician assistants, and other health care providers who treat patients with gestational trophoblastic diseases. This guideline is also intended to provide information for interested parties who provide follow-up care for these patients following treatment.

TARGET POPULATION

Women of reproductive age with gestational trophoblastic diseases.

OPTIONS

Women diagnosed with a gestational trophoblastic disease should be referred to a gynaecologist for initial evaluation and consideration for primary surgery (uterine evacuation or hysterectomy) and follow-up. Women diagnosed with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia should be referred to a gynaecologic oncologist for staging, risk scoring, and consideration for primary surgery or systemic therapy (single- or multi-agent chemotherapy) with the potential need for additional therapies. All cases of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia should be discussed at a multidisciplinary cancer case conference and registered in a centralized (regional and/or national) database.

EVIDENCE

Relevant studies from 2002 onwards were searched in Embase, MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Cochrane Systematic Reviews using the following terms, either alone or in combination: trophoblastic neoplasms, choriocarcinoma, trophoblastic tumor, placental site, gestational trophoblastic disease, hydatidiform mole, drug therapy, surgical therapy, radiotherapy, cure, complications, recurrence, survival, prognosis, pregnancy outcome, disease outcome, treatment outcome, and remission. The initial search was performed in April 2017 and updated in May 2019. Relevant evidence was selected for inclusion in the following order: meta-analyses, systematic reviews, guidelines, randomized controlled trials, prospective cohort studies, observational studies, non-systematic reviews, case series, and reports. Additional significant articles were identified through cross-referencing the identified reviews. The total number of studies identified was 673, with 79 studies cited in this review.

VALIDATION METHODS

The content and recommendations were drafted and agreed upon by the authors. The Executive and Board of Directors of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology of Canada reviewed the content and submitted comments for consideration, and the Board of Directors for the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada approved the final draft for publication. The quality of evidence was rated using the criteria described in the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology framework. See the online appendix tables for key to grading and interpretation of recommendations.

BENEFITS

These guidelines will assist physicians in promptly diagnosing gestational trophoblastic diseases and urgently referring patients diagnosed with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia to gynaecologic oncology for specialized management. Treating gestational trophoblastic neoplasia in specialized centres with the use of centralized databases allows for capturing and comparing data on treatment outcomes of patients with these rare tumours and for optimizing patient care.

SUMMARY STATEMENTS (GRADE RATINGS IN PARENTHESES)

RECOMMENDATIONS (GRADE RATINGS IN PARENTHESES).

Directive clinique no 408 : Prise en charge des maladies gestationnelles trophoblastiques

OBJECTIF

Cette directive passe en revue l'évaluation clinique et la prise en charge des maladies gestationnelles trophoblastiques, notamment les traitements chirurgicaux et médicamenteux des tumeurs bénignes, prémalignes et malignes. L'objectif de la présente directive clinique est d'aider les fournisseurs de soins de santé à rapidement diagnostiquer les maladies gestationnelles trophoblastiques, à normaliser les traitements et le suivi et à assurer des soins spécialisés précoces aux patientes dont l'atteinte est maligne ou métastatique. PROFESSIONNELS CONCERNéS: Gynécologues généralistes, obstétriciens, médecins de famille, sages-femmes, urgentologues, anesthésistes, radiologistes, anatomopathologistes, infirmières autorisées, infirmières praticiennes, résidents, gynécologues-oncologues, oncologues médicaux, radio-oncologues, chirurgiens, omnipraticiens en oncologie, infirmières en oncologie, pharmaciens, auxiliaires médicaux et autres professionnels de la santé qui traitent des patientes atteintes d'une maladie gestationnelle trophoblastique. La présente directive vise également à fournir des renseignements aux parties intéressées qui prodiguent des soins de suivi à ces patientes après le traitement.

POPULATION CIBLE

Femmes en âge de procréer atteintes d'une maladie gestationnelle trophoblastique.

OPTIONS

Les femmes ayant reçu un diagnostic de maladie gestationnelle trophoblastique doivent être orientées vers un gynécologue afin qu'il réalise une évaluation initiale, envisage une intervention chirurgicale primaire (évacuation ou hystérectomie) et effectue un suivi. Il y a lieu d'orienter les femmes ayant reçu un diagnostic de tumeur trophoblastique gestationnelle vers un gynécologue-oncologue afin qu'il effectue la stadification tumorale, établisse le score de risque et envisage l'intervention chirurgicale primaire ou un traitement systémique (mono- ou polychimiothérapie) et la nécessité d'éventuels traitements supplémentaires. Il est recommandé de discuter de chaque cas de néoplasie gestationnelle trophoblastique lors d'une réunion multidisciplinaire de cas oncologiques et de l'inscrire dans une base de données centralisée (régionale et/ou nationale). DONNéES PROBANTES: Des recherches ont été effectuées au moyen des bases de données Embase et MEDLINE, du Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials et de la Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews afin de trouver les études publiées depuis 2002 utilisant un ou plusieurs des mots clés suivants : trophoblastic neoplasms, choriocarcinoma, trophoblastic tumor, placental site, gestational trophoblastic disease, hydatidiform mole, drug therapy, surgical therapy, radiotherapy, cure, complications, recurrence, survival, prognosis, pregnancy outcome, disease outcome, treatment outcome et remission. La recherche initiale a été effectuée en avril 2017; une mise à jour a été faite en mai 2019. Les données probantes pertinentes ont été sélectionnées aux fins d'inclusion selon l'ordre suivant : méta-analyses, revues systématiques, directives cliniques, essais cliniques randomisés, études de cohortes prospectives, études observationnelles, revues non systématiques, études de séries de cas et rapports. D'autres articles pertinents ont été trouvés en recoupant les revues répertoriées. Le nombre total d'études relevées était de 673, dont 79 études sont citées dans la présente revue. MéTHODES DE VALIDATION: Le contenu et les recommandations ont été rédigés et acceptés par les auteurs. La direction et le conseil d'administration de la Société de gynéco-oncologie du Canada ont passé en revue le contenu de la version préliminaire et ont soumis des commentaires à prendre en considération. Le conseil d'administration de la Société des obstétriciens et gynécologues du Canada a approuvé la version définitive aux fins de publication. La qualité des données probantes a été évaluée au moyen des critères de l'approche GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation). Consulter les tableaux dans l'annexe en ligne pour connaître les critères de notation et d'interprétation des recommandations. BéNéFICES, RISQUES, COûTS: Les présentes recommandations aideront les médecins à diagnostiquer rapidement les maladies gestationnelles trophoblastiques et à orienter de façon urgente les patientes ayant reçu un diagnostic de maladie gestationnelle trophoblastique en gynécologie oncologique pour une prise en charge spécialisée. Le traitement des néoplasies gestationnelles trophoblastiques en centre spécialisé combiné à l'utilisation de bases de données centralisées permet de recueillir et de comparer des données sur les résultats thérapeutiques des patientes atteintes de ces tumeurs rares et d'optimiser les soins aux patientes. DÉCLARATIONS SOMMAIRES (CLASSEMENT GRADE ENTRE PARENTHèSES): RECOMMANDATIONS (CLASSEMENT GRADE ENTRE PARENTHèSES).

ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Gestational Trophoblastic Disease

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD), a rare complication of pregnancy, includes both benign and malignant forms, the latter collectively referred to as gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). When metastatic, the lungs are the most common site of initial spread. Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, elaborated to some extent by all forms of GTD, is useful in facilitating disease detection, diagnosis, monitoring treatment response, and follow-up. Imaging evaluation depends on whether GTD manifests in one of its benign forms or whether it has progressed to GTN. Transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound with duplex Doppler evaluation of the pelvis are usually appropriate diagnostic procedures in either of these circumstances, and in posttreatment surveillance. The appropriateness of more extensive imaging remains dependent on a diagnosis of GTN and on other factors. The use of imaging to assess complications, typically hemorrhagic, should be guided by the location of clinical signs and symptoms. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer reviewed journals and the application of well-established methodologies (RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where evidence is lacking or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence to recommend imaging or treatment.

Surgery including fertility-sparing treatment of GTD

Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) consists of a spectrum of diseases, including hydatidiform moles, invasive mole, metastatic mole, choriocarcinoma, placental site trophoblastic tumour (PSTT) and epithelioid trophoblastic tumour (ETT). GTD is a relatively uncommon disease occurring in women of reproductive age, with high cure rates. Primary treatment of hydatidiform moles includes uterine evacuation, followed by close monitoring of serial hCG levels to detect for post-molar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). In patients with GTN, the main therapy consists of chemotherapy, although some surgical procedures are important in selected patients to achieve curing. Hysterectomy is the mainstay treatment for PSTT or ETT and may be considered in selected patients for management of hydatidiform mole and malignant GTN especially in chemoresistant disease. Resection of metastatic lesions such as in the lung or brain can be considered in selected patients with isolated chemoresistant tumour. Surgical treatment of GTD will be discussed in this chapter.

Following chemotherapy for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, do residual lung lesions increase the risk of relapse?

BACKGROUND

There remains uncertainty about the prognostic significance of residual lung lesion on imaging after completion of treatment of low- or high-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN). Here, we determine if such residual lung lesions are associated with an increased risk of relapse.

METHODS

We retrospectively screened our electronic database to identify patients with low- or high-risk GTN and lung metastases between 2004 and 18. Recurrences among patients with or without residual lung lesions on imaging were compared. Chi square analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were constructed. As the numbers of cases were low, we combined this data with our previously published and non-overlapping patient cohort (1995-2004).

RESULTS

Of 1304 GTN patients treated at our centre between 2004 and 18, 99 had lung metastases without other distant sites. There were 40 patients (40.4%) with residual lung lesions. Whilst an increased rate of relapse was observed among patients with residual lung lesions (4/40; 10.0%) compared to without such lesions (3/59; 5.1%), this difference was not statistically significant (p = .35). By combining the data with our previous cohort, there was an increase in relapse rate of patients with residual lung lesions (5/63; 7.9%) compared to those without such lesions (4/112; 3.6%). However, this difference was also not statistically significant (p = .21).

CONCLUSION

Residual lung lesions on imaging after completion of GTN treatment are common. However, this finding did not statistically increase relapse rate. Due to low number of recurrent events, a multi-centre, larger dataset would be needed to provide more definitive evidence.

Evaluation and influence of lung metastasis on patient outcome in gestational trophoblastic neoplasia: A 10-year study at a single institution

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the outcomes and related factors of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) with lung metastasis in comparison with GTN without metastasis.

STUDY DESIGN

GTN is a spectrum of diseases arising from trophoblastic cells, and treatment outcome is promising because of its high sensitivity to chemotherapy. Lung metastasis is not usually considered to be an adverse prognostic factor in the evaluation and treatment of GTN. The clinical records of 48 GTN patients with lung metastasis and 162 GTN patients without metastasis were reviewed and analysed retrospectively from 2003 to 2013. Data were compared between patients with and without metastasis.

RESULTS

Twenty-five percent of GTN patients with lung metastasis presented with pre-treatment serum human chorionic gonadotropin ≥10⁵ mIU/mL, which was significantly higher compared with GTN patients without metastasis (9.3 %, p < 0.01). Regarding the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) score, 39.6 % of patients with lung metastasis were in the high-risk group (FIGO score ≥ 7), compared with 13.6 % of patients without metastasis (p < 0.01). However, on multi-variate analysis, only a FIGO score ≥7 was associated with lung metastasis. The relapse rate of GTN patients with lung metastasis was significantly higher than that of those without metastasis (8.3 % vs 0.6 %, p < 0.05). In the patients who relapsed, non-postmolar GTN, high-risk GTN and first-line chemoresistance were observed more frequently compared with the patients who did not relapse (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

GTN patients with lung metastasis appear to have increased risk of relapse compared with GTN patients without metastasis. To overcome this, there is a need to consider adjustment of the FIGO scoring system to enable GTN patients with lung metastasis to receive more intensive chemotherapy.

Leptomeningeal spread of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia in a 19-year old woman

Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) with brain metastasis is usually seen in patients with advanced disease. Ten percent of metastatic gestational trophoblastic disease involves the brain and spinal cord, most often manifesting as an intracerebral mass or subdural hematoma, and are generally known to be a poor prognostic factor (Dadlani et al., 2010). Leptomeningeal metastases are tremendously rare and not well documented in the literature. A standardized treatment regimen for patients with brain metastases has not been established and is controversial due to a number of multimodal treatments that have been published in the literature without a prospective trial having been completed. We report a case of a patient with gestational trophoblastic disease that metastasized to the lung and leptomeninges, who after treatment with induction chemotherapy using etoposide (E) and cisplatin (P) followed by etoposide, methotrexate and dactinomycin (EMA) chemotherapy achieved a complete response without brain radiation (Han et al., 2012).

•

EMA-EP, after induction with EP, can be utilized as first line chemotherapy in cases of high risk GTN.

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Stage IV high risk GTN may present with relatively low β-HCG levels.

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Intravenous chemotherapy alone is capable of curing most patients with high risk GTN.

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Management of high risk GTN requires multidisciplinary individualized treatment.

•

Despite leptomeningeal spread of disease, a cure of GTN was able to be achieved with chemotherapy alone.

Outcome of First-Line Hysterectomy for Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia in Patients No Longer Wishing to Conceive and Considered With Isolated Lung Metastases: A Series of 30 Patients

Objective

This study aimed to assess the outcome of first-line hysterectomy in patients diagnosed as having gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) whose postoperative imaging showed lung images considered as metastases.

Methods

From 1999 to 2016, patients no longer wishing to conceive, treated by their initial physician by hysterectomy, and whose postoperative imaging workup showed lung images considered as metastasis were identified in the French Trophoblastic Disease Reference Center database. We sought to identify significant predictive factors of requiring salvage chemotherapy.

Results

Thirty patients were identified with a maximum number of 2 visible lung nodules and a median largest size of 14 mm on chest x-ray. Nine of these patients had an International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics score of higher than 6, and there were no postterm GTN. Twenty-two patients (73.33%; 95% confidence interval, 54.11–87.72; P = 0.0053) normalized their human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) without salvage chemotherapy, whereas 7 received 1 line of salvage monochemotherapy (8-day methotrexate) and 1 required 2 lines of monochemotherapy (5-day actinomycin D after failure of methotrexate). After a 12.45-month median follow-up (range, 3–48.4 months) since the first normalized hCG, none of these patients died. The median interval between successful hysterectomy and hCG normalization was 3.15 months (range, 1.6–8.7 months). Patients who required salvage chemotherapy had a median size of the largest lung metastasis on chest computed tomography of 4 mm larger than those cured by hysterectomy (P = 0.0455).

Conclusions

For GTN patients no longer wishing to conceive with lung metastases discovered postoperatively, treated by hysterectomy, and whose hCG is decreasing, it is reasonable to expect and to inform patients that approximately 27% will require salvage chemotherapy. However, in patients with lung metastases discovered preoperatively, evidence to recommend first-line hysterectomy is insufficient and these patients should receive first-line chemotherapy.

Do the Residual Lung Lesions Threaten Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia Patients?

OBJECTIVE

Although most gestational trophoblastic neoplasias (GTN) are sensitive to chemotherapy, the treatment strategy of patients who achieve normal β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) after the completion of treatment but with residual lung lesions is undefined, let alone whether residual lung lesions threaten GTN patients with acceptable recurrent risk factors.

METHODS

We observed 73 patients with stage III and stage IV GTN treated at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital between September 2007 and August 2016. Among these patients, 46 women confirmed to have residual lung lesions with normalized β-hCG titer levels at 6 weeks after the completion of treatment, and the other 27 were without residual lung lesions. Statistical analysis was used to compare the progression-free survival of these 73 patients.

RESULTS

The follow-up period of all 73 patients ranged from 6 to 115 months. Six women relapsed with GTN. There were no significant statistical differences (P > 0.05) between the progression-free survival of the patients with residual lung lesions and those without, even in the subgroup of patients with GTN with recurrent risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

After the achievement of normalized β-hCG by sufficient chemotherapy, residual lung lesions do not alter the prognosis of patients with GTN, even if the patients are with other recurrent risk factors.

Placental site trophoblastic tumors and epithelioid trophoblastic tumors: Biology, natural history, and treatment modalities

Placental site (PSTT) and epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT) are rare types of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) that arise from intermediate trophoblast. Given that this cell of origin is different from other forms of GTN, it is not surprising that the clinical presentation, tumor marker profile, and treatment paradigm for PSTT and ETT are quite different as well. The mainstay for therapy for stage I PSTT and ETT is hysterectomy with adjuvant chemotherapy reserved for those presenting greater than four years from the antecedent pregnancy. Surgery is also important for metastatic disease. There is no standardized chemotherapy regimen for advanced stage disease but often consists of a platinum-containing combination therapy, usually EMA-EP or TE/TP. Despite its rarity, PSTT and ETT account for a disproportionate percentage of mortality from GTN likely resulting from their relative chemotherapy resistance. Novel therapeutic modalities therefore are needed to improve the outcomes of women with advanced stage or resistant PSTT and ETT.

Clinical and radiological correlations in patients with gestational trophoblastic disease

Gestational trophoblastic disease is an abnormality of pregnancy that encompasses a group of diseases that differ from each other in their propensity for regression, invasion, metastasis, and recurrence. In the past, it was common for patients with molar pregnancy to present with marked symptoms: copious bleeding; theca lutein cysts; uterus larger than appropriate for gestational age; early preeclampsia; hyperemesis gravidarum; and hyperthyroidism. Currently, with early diagnosis made by ultrasound, most patients are diagnosed while the disease is still in the asymptomatic phase. In cases of progression to trophoblastic neoplasia, staging-typically with Doppler flow studies of the pelvis and chest X-ray, although occasionally with computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging-is critical to the choice of an appropriate antineoplastic therapy regimen. Because it is an unusual and serious disease that affects women of reproductive age, as well as because its appropriate treatment results in high cure rates, it is crucial that radiologists be familiar with gestational trophoblastic disease, in order to facilitate its early diagnosis and to ensure appropriate follow-up imaging.

Role of 18F-FDG PET in the management of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia

PURPOSE

Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) is a rare and aggressive tumour that is usually sensitive to chemotherapy. The usefulness of conventional imaging modalities in evaluating treatment response is limited, mainly due to the difficulty in differentiating between residual tumour tissue and necrosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of FDG PET or PET/CT in primary staging and in monitoring treatment efficacy. The effect of FDG PET and combined PET/CT on the management of patients with GTN was also evaluated comparing the differences between standard treatments based on conventional imaging and alternative treatments based on PET.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 41 patients with GTN referred to San Raffaele Hospital between 2002 and 2010. All patients were studied by either PET or PET/CT in addition to conventional imaging. Of the 41 patients, 38 were evaluated for primary staging of GTN and 3 patients for chemotherapy resistance after first-line chemotherapy performed in other Institutions. To validate the PET data, PET and PET/CT findings were compared with those from conventional imaging, including transvaginal ultrasonography (TV-US) in those with uterine disease, CT and chest plain radiography in those with lung disease and whole-body CT in those with systemic metastases. Conventional imaging was considered positive for the presence of uterine disease and/or metastases when abnormal findings relating to GTN were reported. PET and PET/CT were considered concordant with conventional imaging when metabolic active disease was detected at the sites corresponding to the pathological findings on conventional imaging. In addition, in 12 of the 41 patients showing extrauterine disease, FDG PET/CT was repeated to monitor treatment efficacy, in 8 after normalization of beta human chorionic gonadotropin (βHCG) and in 4 with βHCG resistance. In some patients, PET or PET/CT findings led to an alternative nonconventional treatment, and this was considered a change in patient management for the study analysis.

RESULTS

When compared to TV-US, chest radiography and CT for staging, PET showed a concordance in 91 %, 84 % and 81 % of patients, respectively. In 8 of the 41 patients with extrauterine disease during staging, PET/CT showed a complete response to therapy after βHCG normalization. PET and PET/CT identified the sites of persistent disease in all seven high-risk patients with βHCG resistance, of whom four underwent second-line chemotherapy, two surgical removal of resistant disease instead of additional chemotherapy, and one surgical removal of resistant disease and second-line chemotherapy with subsequent negative βHCG.

CONCLUSION

In staging, PET cannot replace conventional imaging and does not show any information in addition to that shown by conventional imaging. The additional value of PET/CT in GTN with respect to conventional imaging is found in patients with high-risk disease. PET can identify the sites of primary and/or metastatic disease in patients with persistent high levels of βHCG after first-line chemotherapy and may be of additional value in patient management for guiding alternative treatment.

Gestational trophoblastic disease

Gestational trophoblastic disease encompasses a range of pregnancy-related disorders, consisting of the premalignant disorders of complete and partial hydatidiform mole, and the malignant disorders of invasive mole, choriocarcinoma, and the rare placental-site trophoblastic tumour. These malignant forms are termed gestational trophoblastic tumours or neoplasia. Improvements in management and follow-up protocols mean that overall cure rates can exceed 98% with fertility retention, whereas most women would have died from malignant disease 60 years ago. This success can be explained by the development of effective treatments, the use of human chorionic gonadotropin as a biomarker, and centralisation of care. We summarise strategies for management of gestational trophoblastic disease and address some of the controversies and future research directions.

Prognostic markers and long-term outcome of placental-site trophoblastic tumours: a retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Placental-site trophoblastic tumours are a rare form of gestational trophoblastic disease and consequently information about optimum management or prognostic factors is restricted. We aimed to assess the long-term outcome of stage-adapted management by surgery, chemotherapy, or both for patients with the disorder.

METHODS

35 550 women were registered with gestational trophoblastic disease in the UK (1976-2006), of whom 62 were diagnosed with placental-site trophoblastic tumours and included, retrospectively, in the study. Patients were treated by surgery, chemotherapy, or both. We estimated the probabilities of overall survival and survival without recurrence of disease 5 and 10 years after the date of first treatment, and calculated the association of these endpoints with prognostic factors, including time since antecedent pregnancy, serum concentration of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, and stage of disease, with both univariate and multivariate analyses.

FINDINGS

Probabilities of overall and recurrence-free survival 10 years after first treatment were 70% (95% CI 54-82) and 73% (54-85), respectively. Patients with stage I disease had a 10-year probability of overall survival of 90% (77-100) and did not benefit from postoperative chemotherapy. By contrast, patients with stage II, III, and IV disease required combined treatment with surgery and chemotherapy; probability of overall survival at 10 years was 52% (3-100) for patients with stage II disease and 49% (26-72) for stage III or IV disease. Outcome for patients who had recurrent or refractory disease was poor: only four (22%) patients achieved long-term survival beyond 60 months. Multivariate analysis showed that the only significant independent predictor of overall and recurrence-free survival was time since antecedent pregnancy. A cutoff point of 48 months since antecedent pregnancy could differentiate between patients' probability of survival (<48 months) or death (>/=48 months) with 93% specificity and 100% sensitivity, and with a positive predictive value of 100% and a negative predictive value of 98%.

INTERPRETATION

Stage-adapted management with surgery for stage I disease, and combined surgery and chemotherapy for stage II, III, and IV disease could improve the effectiveness of treatment for placental-site trophoblastic tumours. Use of 48 months since antecedent pregnancy as a prognostic indicator of survival could help select patients for risk-adapted treatment.

FUNDING

National Commissioning Group.

Surgical resection in the management of pulmonary metastatic disease of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of surgical resection on survival outcome in patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia with pulmonary metastatic disease. Medical records of 62 patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia who underwent pulmonary lobectomy or limited resection were reviewed. The cases were divided into 3 groups, namely, the recurrent group (group A), the drug-resistant group (group B), and the group with satisfactory response to chemotherapy but with residual pulmonary lesion (group C). The proportion of high-risk patients was significantly lower in group C, whereas this group had a remarkable complete remission rate of 100% with no relapse recorded, and only 3 patients (12.0%) in this group had a positive histologic diagnosis. The complete remission rates of groups A and B were 88.9% and 78.6%, respectively, and the relapse rates were 14.3% and 15.0%, respectively. By comparing treatment failure cases with patients who achieved complete remission, factors that might affect the clinical outcome of pulmonary surgery were also analyzed. Patients who have received more than 4 regimens or 13 courses of preoperative chemotherapy seemed to have unfavorable prognosis (P < 0.05). Follow-ups could be carried out without surgical resection for patients with satisfactory response to chemotherapy but with residual pulmonary lesions. Pulmonary surgery is indicated when clinical evidence suggests that pulmonary metastatic disease causes relapse or drug-resistance and the lesions are relatively localized. However, surgery is not advisable for patients who received more than 4 regimens or 13 courses of preoperative chemotherapy.

Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia management: an update

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia represents the malignant end of the gestational trophoblastic disease spectrum. This review updates readers on developments in the management of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia over the past few years.

RECENT FINDINGS

Progress has been made in elucidating the genetic changes that give rise to gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. The importance of accurate human chorionic gonadotrophin monitoring and the types of human chorionic gonadotrophin produced in cancer are also topical. Fortunately, most patients are cured with chemotherapy, and the choice of treatment schedule according to low-risk and high-risk prognostic groups is relatively unchanged. Indeed, most patients with low-risk gestational trophoblastic neoplasia are treated with single agent chemotherapy, and those who have high-risk disease with combination chemotherapy using etoposide, methotrexate and actinomycin D, alternating with cyclophosphamide and oncovine. For resistant disease, new paclitaxel-containing regimens appear better tolerated than etoposide and cisplatin alternating weekly with etoposide, methotrexate and actinomycin D.

SUMMARY

Prognosis in gestational trophoblastic neoplasia is now excellent following treatment. Virtually all patients with low-risk disease are cured, and survival is now 86% in high-risk patients. Optimization of treatment strategies for those who develop drug resistance remains a key challenge.