Flow Cytometric DNA Analysis and Histopathologic Re-Evaluation of Paraffin Embedded Samples from Hydatidiform Moles and Hydropic Abortions

BACKGROUND: Distinction of hydatidiform moles (HMs) from non-molar abortions and sub-classification of HMs are important for clinical practice; yet, diagnosis based solely on morphology is affected by interobserver variability. The objective of this study was to determine the role of DNA flow cytometry in distinguishing molar from non-molar pregnancies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted at the Department of Pathology, Women’s Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, between 2006 and 2010. DNA ploidy analysis and histopathologic re-evaluation were performed on paraffin-embedded tissue from 36 (17 complete and 19 partial) molar and 24 hydropic abortus (HA) cases which were previously diagnosed based on histomorphologic study. RESULTS: Of the 17 cases initially diagnosed as complete HM (CHM), 9 were diploid, 2 were triploid, 5 were tetraploid and 1 was aneuploid. Of the 19 initial partial HMs (PHMs), 2, 8, 1 and 8 cases were diploid, triploid, tetraploid and aneuploid, respectively. In the initial HA category (n=24), 14 diploid, 1 triploid, 5 tetraploid, and 4 aneuploid cases existed. Following flow cytometry and histopathologic reevaluation, 1 case with previous diagnosis of HA was reclassified as PHM, 2 initial PHMs were reclassified as CHM and 2 initial CHMs were categorized as PHM. CONCLUSION: The results show that correct diagnosis of PMH is the main challenge in histological diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD). DNA flow cytometric analysis could be an informative supplement to the histological interpretation of molar and hydropic placentas.