In many cases, GTD is the most curable cancer of the female reproductive system even when it already has spread. The cancer cells are very sensitive to different chemotherapy drugs, and the hCG blood test makes it relatively easy to monitor whether cancer is still present and therapy should continue. Information gathered from large clinical trials also have made it possible to gather enough data to develop effective, individualized treatment, even though the cancer itself is rare. The symptoms for malignant GTD include irregular vaginal bleeding, elevated levels of hCG in the blood, asymetric enlargement of the uterus and abdominal pain. GTD is diagnosed through blood tests, ultrasound or CT scans, X-rays of various organs or MRI scans.
Treatment depends on the specific disease and whether the cancer has spread.
A hydatidiform mole will be removed with suction curettage followed by sharp curettage. A hysterectomy is an option, and is preferred, for women who no longer wish to have children. A hysterectomy followed by a single chemotherapy drug is also the preferred treatment for GTD that has not spread. If the disease persists, a hysterectomy is necessary, because this tumor, unlike the others, is usually resistant to chemotherapy. For GTD that has spread, chemotherapy is the treatment of choice.