Hydatidiform mole. Gross specimen of placental tissue showing the formation of a benign tumour: an hydatidiform mole. This disorder, which resembles a

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Hydatidiform mole. Gross specimen of placental tissue showing the formation of a benign tumour: an hydatidiform mole. This disorder, which resembles a bunch of grapes, develops from the placental tissue of a pregnancy that has failed to develop normally. The membrane surrounding the embryo (the chorion) degenerates, forming a collection of fluid-filled sacs. The cause of this degeneration is unknown but it can be detected using ultrasound scanning. There is a risk that cells from the mole may go on to form a choriocarcinoma, an extremely rare and malignant cancer.

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Photo credit: © DR. E. WALKER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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Keywords: cancer, choriocarcinoma, condition, disorder, female, gynaecological, gynaecology, gynecology, healthcare, hydatiform, medical, medicine, mole, pathology, placenta, reproduction, reproductive, system, uterus, womb