Download Gestational Trophoblastic Disease

About Gestational Trophoblastic Disease
This NCEC National Clinical Guideline covers the diagnosis, staging and treatment of patients with
Gestational Trophoblastic Disease (GTD). This is a group of diseases that can occur during or after
pregnancy, which can lead to cancer.
GTD is the most curable of all gynaecologic malignancies. With structured care, the majority of
woman can be cured with no effects on future fertility. Management involves early disease
recognition, chemotherapy and assessment of disease status by measuring a hormone called human
chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).
The general gynaecologist is initially responsible for the diagnosis and management of GTD. The
ongoing management of these women is specialised and, in many countries, is undertaken by
gynaecological and medical oncologists with special expertise in treating this disease.
This guideline aims to improve the standard of clinical practice to ensure that young women affected
by GTD are diagnosed promptly and receive the best available care. This guideline recommends that
a National GTD Registry, Monitoring and Advisory Centre is established for Ireland and this is in
progress.
This guideline was developed by the National Cancer Control Programme to improve the standard
and consistency of clinical practice in line with the best and most recent scientific evidence available.
In 2006, the second national cancer strategy, A Strategy for Cancer Control in Ireland (DoHC, 2006),
advocated a comprehensive cancer control programme. It was recommended that national sitespecific multidisciplinary groups be convened to develop national evidence-based clinical guidelines
for cancer care. The principal objective of developing these guidelines is to improve the quality of
care received by patients.
(Members of the GTD Guideline Group with the NCEC Chair, Director of NCCP and Director of Clinical
Effectiveness)