Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia: an update.

Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) includes invasive mole, choriocarcinoma, and placental site trophoblastic tumors. The overall cure rate in treating these tumors currently exceeds 90%. Thorough evaluation and staging allow selection of appropriate therapy that maximizes chances for cure while minimizing toxicity. Nonmetastatic (stage I) and low-risk metastatic (stages II and III, World Health Organization score < 7) GTN can be treated with single-agent chemotherapy, resulting in a survival rate approaching 100%. High-risk metastatic GTN (stage IV, WHO score > or = 7) requires initial multiagent chemotherapy with or without adjuvant radiation and surgery to achieve a survival rate of 80% to 90%.