Overview
Gestational trophoblastic neoplasm (GTN) is a group of rare tumors that grow from cells that normally form the placenta during pregnancy. These tumors can develop after any type of pregnancy — including a normal pregnancy, a miscarriage, or a molar pregnancy (also called a hydatidiform mole, where abnormal tissue grows in the uterus instead of a normal baby). GTN includes several types: invasive mole, choriocarcinoma, placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT), and epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT). These tumors are sometimes grouped under the broader term gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD). GTN affects the uterus and can sometimes spread to other parts of the body, including the lungs, brain, and liver. Because these tumors produce a hormone called hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin — the same hormone detected in pregnancy tests), doctors can track the disease and treatment response through simple blood tests. Common symptoms include unusual vaginal bleeding after a pregnancy, a uterus that seems larger than expected, and pelvic pain. The good news is that GTN is one of the most treatable cancers known. Even when it has spread to other organs, most women are cured with chemotherapy. Fertility can often be preserved. Early detection and treatment at a specialist center lead to excellent outcomes for the vast majority of patients.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Unusual or heavy vaginal bleeding after a pregnancy, miscarriage, or molar pregnancyUterus larger than expected for the stage of pregnancyPelvic pain or pressureNausea and vomiting more severe than typical morning sicknessNo fetal heartbeat or fetal parts seen on ultrasound when expectedPersistently elevated pregnancy hormone (hCG) levels after a pregnancy endsShortness of breath or coughing (if tumor has spread to the lungs)Headache or neurological symptoms (if spread to the brain)Grape-like clusters of tissue passed from the vaginaSwollen or painful ovaries due to ovarian cysts
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsJohns Hopkins University — PHASE1
Bayer — PHASE1
University of Basrah — PHASE2
Ying Zhu — PHASE4
Aarhus University Hospital — PHASE4
National Cheng-Kung University Hospital — PHASE4
King Edward Medical University — NA
Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University
Baylor Research Institute — NA
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Gestational trophoblastic neoplasm.
1 clinical trialare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Rare Disease Specialist
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Gestational trophoblastic neoplasm.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Gestational trophoblastic neoplasm.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Gestational trophoblastic neoplasm
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Analysis of Coronary Reactivity Testing With and Without Intracoronary Nitrate Testing
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Gestational trophoblastic neoplasm
New recruiting trial: Postprocedural Contrast Mediated FFR Plus Intracoronary Infusion of Nitroglycerin in Multivessel Patients (PROMETEUS TRIAL)
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Gestational trophoblastic neoplasm
New recruiting trial: The FOCUS-ADHF Registry
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Gestational trophoblastic neoplasm
New recruiting trial: "The Effect of Inhaled Nitroglycerin for COPD Patients
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Gestational trophoblastic neoplasm
New recruiting trial: Aerobic Exercise-induced Effect on Endothelial Function in Patients With Ischaemic Heart Disease
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Gestational trophoblastic neoplasm
New recruiting trial: Precise Endoscopic Application of Nitroglycerin in Preventing Post-ERCP Pancreatitis
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Gestational trophoblastic neoplasm
New recruiting trial: "Lignocaine vs GTN Ointment for Postoperative Pain After Hemorrhoidectomy")
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Gestational trophoblastic neoplasm
New recruiting trial: Nitroglycerin Plus Radiotherapy Versus Conventional Radiotherapy in Patients With Lung Cancer.
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Gestational trophoblastic neoplasm
New recruiting trial: Avelumab and Methotrexate in in Low-risk Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasias as First Line Treatment
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Gestational trophoblastic neoplasm
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What type of GTN do I have, and what does that mean for my treatment and prognosis?,Will I still be able to get pregnant after treatment?,How long will I need to be monitored after treatment ends, and what does follow-up involve?,Should I be treated at a specialized trophoblastic disease center?,What are the side effects of the chemotherapy you are recommending, and how can they be managed?,What are the signs that the disease has come back, and what should I do if I notice them?,Are there any clinical trials I should consider if standard treatment does not work?
Common questions about Gestational trophoblastic neoplasm
What is Gestational trophoblastic neoplasm?
Gestational trophoblastic neoplasm (GTN) is a group of rare tumors that grow from cells that normally form the placenta during pregnancy. These tumors can develop after any type of pregnancy — including a normal pregnancy, a miscarriage, or a molar pregnancy (also called a hydatidiform mole, where abnormal tissue grows in the uterus instead of a normal baby). GTN includes several types: invasive mole, choriocarcinoma, placental site trophoblastic tumor (PSTT), and epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT). These tumors are sometimes grouped under the broader term gestational trophoblastic disease
How is Gestational trophoblastic neoplasm inherited?
Gestational trophoblastic neoplasm follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Gestational trophoblastic neoplasm typically begin?
Typical onset of Gestational trophoblastic neoplasm is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Gestational trophoblastic neoplasm?
Yes — 1 recruiting clinical trial is currently listed for Gestational trophoblastic neoplasm on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Gestational trophoblastic neoplasm?
19 specialists and care centers treating Gestational trophoblastic neoplasm are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.