Clinical problems of invasive hydatidiform mole in patients aged 40 or more.

Seventy-six patients with invasive hydatidiform mole (HM) were reviewed as to clinical course, particularly treatment and outcome, in relation to their age. The results were as follows: (i) metastatic cases showed approximately a twofold increase in patients over 40 compared with younger patients, (ii) more courses of chemotherapy were required to achieve a cure in patients over 40 than in younger patients and (iii) 4 of 19 patients (21.1%) over 40 developed choriocarcinoma, whereas none of younger patients did.