When an egg with no genetic information is released from the fallopian tube it can be fertilized by the sperm, but a molar pregnancy can occur. A molar pregnancy is the development of a tumor from the fertilized egg. The condition is extremely rare with only 1 in 1,500 pregnancies resulting in tumor growth. Researchers from the Department of Medical Oncology at Charing Cross Hospital recently published a study on the treatment outcomes of patients diagnosed with gestational trophoblastic tumors following the development of a molar pregnancy.

A total of 618 women treated for molar pregnancy at Charing Cross Hospital in London were included in the study - 547 with a complete molar pregnancy, 13 with a complete molar pregnancy and twin conception and 58 with a partial molar pregnancy).

Conclusion: Treatment for the molar pregnancy should result in a 100% cure rate, according to researchers. Reaching that cure rate requires prompt treatment and medical follow-up.

Source: Sita-Lumsden A, Short D, Lindsay I, Sebire NJ, Adjogatse D, Seckl MJ, Savage PM. Treatment outcomes for 618 women with gestational trophoblastic tumours following a molar pregnancy at the Charing Cross Hospital, 2000-2009. Br J Cancer. 2012 Oct 11. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2012.462.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23059744