Grape Pregnancy: Symptoms And Diagnosis

During pregnancy, several changes can occur that require prompt medical attention. One rare complication of pregnancy is grape pregnancy (Mola hydatidosa). Below we explain what a grape pregnancy is, what methods are used to diagnose it and how to treat it.

What is a grape pregnancy?

The term grape pregnancy refers to trophoblastic disease during pregnancy. It involves the abnormal growth of tissue that makes up a trophoblast (a layer of cells involved in embryonic formation).

Grape pregnancy is divided into several different categories depending on the nature of the problem.

It may be a benign tissue disease that is not associated with a risk of developing a cancerous tumor. Such may be a partial or complete benign gestational trophoblastic disease.

On the other hand, there are also a number of malignancies associated with grape pregnancies known as gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. This group includes malignant or invasive moles, choriocarcinomas (placental cancers), and epithelial tumors that affect trophoblastic tissue.

Symptoms of grape pregnancy

It is important to note that grape pregnancy may go unnoticed during the first weeks of pregnancy. However, as the pregnancy progresses, various symptoms appear that help diagnose grape pregnancy.

• Metrorrhagia: Vaginal bleeding occurs in almost all grape pregnancies. This is because trophoblastic tissue has a high invasive capacity and is located between cell layers. Blood accumulates in it because the blood cannot drain properly. When the amount of blood exceeds the capacity of the cavity, sudden bleeding occurs.

• Pregnancy poisoning: This is a common symptom of grape pregnancy in patients, but may not occur in all cases. Gestational poisoning is associated with high blood pressure and is a serious condition that needs medical attention.
• Abnormal uterine size: Uterine size increases by about four centimeters of pregnancy each month. Before, uterine palpation helped assess the stage of the pregnancy, but with the arrival of ultrasound, this method is no longer used today. A larger than normal uterine size is a symptom associated with a grape pregnancy.
• Hormonal changes: Several control visits are performed during pregnancy to ensure that all values ​​are within normal readings. Once trophoblastic tissue has spread, hormone levels change due to the endocrine ability of this cell layer.

This is how a grape pregnancy is diagnosed

First, there should be a clinical suspicion of a grape pregnancy. Measuring hormones from a blood test is an important test in diagnosing grape pregnancy.

However, this does not mean that this is a grape pregnancy. Changes in hormone levels may also be a sign of another pregnancy complication. This is especially the case if the patient is a little older and the pregnancy is her first or if the pregnancy is associated with genetic changes.

The best method to diagnose grape pregnancy is arguably ultrasound.

Ultrasound allows the doctor to look directly at the pregnancy bag and cysts that often appear next to it. If a grape pregnancy is suspected, the doctor will take samples.

If a neoplastic disease is suspected at the time of diagnosis, in addition to ultrasound, it is necessary to perform an imaging examination, such as computer layer imaging or X-ray.

It is important to remove the cysts completely to avoid problems later, especially in the case of metastasis, which requires surgery and chemotherapy.

If the patient does not intend to have more children or the risk of complications is very high, more effective treatment is needed. But just like with all diseases, it is always best to choose a more economical method in young patients.

There are many types of grape pregnancies and their treatments. However, imaging methods and analytical research help in making the diagnosis and making the prognosis.