The management and outcome of women with post-hydatidiform mole ‘low-risk’ gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, but hCG levels in excess of 100 000 IU l(−1)

BACKGROUND: Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) after a hydatidiform mole is either treated with single- or multi-agent chemotherapy determined by a multifactorial scoring system. Women with human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) levels >100 000 IU l(−1) can remain within the low-risk/single-agent category and usually choose one drug therapy. Here we compare the success and duration of single- vs multi-agent chemotherapy in this patient group. METHODS: Between 1980 and 2008, 65 women had a pre-treatment hCG >100 000 IU l(−1) and were low risk. The initial hCG level, treatment regimens, changes and duration and overall survival were recorded. RESULTS: Of 37 patients starting low-risk/single-agent treatment, 11 (29.7%) were treated successfully, whereas 26 (70.3%) required additional multi-agent chemotherapy to achieve complete remission (CR). Combination chemotherapy was initially commenced in 28 women, and 2 (7%) required additional drugs for CR. The overall duration of therapy for those commencing and completing single- or multi-agent chemotherapy was 130 and 123 days (P=0.78), respectively. The median-treatment duration for patients commencing single-agent but changing to multi-agent chemotherapy was 13 days more than those receiving high-risk treatment alone (136 vs 123 days; P=0.07). All 3 patients with an initial hCG >400 000 IU l(−1) and treated with single-agent therapy developed drug resistance. Overall survival for all patients was 100%. CONCLUSION: Low-risk post-molar GTN patients with a pre-treatment hCG >100 000 and <400 000 IU l(−1) can be offered low-risk single-agent therapy, as this will cure 30%, is relatively non-toxic and only prolongs treatment by 2 weeks if a change to combination agents is required. Patients whose hCG is >400 000 IU l(−1) should receive multi-agent chemotherapy from the outset.