A molar pregnancy or GTD diagnosis can feel overwhelming, especially alongside the emotional weight of a pregnancy that hasn't gone as expected. The most important thing to know is that GTD is one of the most highly treatable and curable conditions in gynaecological oncology — and Dr. Dipanwita Banerjee manages it with the precise hormone tracking and evidence-based protocols it requires.
Whatever stage you are at — early warning signs, a confirmed molar pregnancy, persistently rising β-hCG levels, or planning a future pregnancy after treatment — find your situation below to see how Dr. Banerjee approaches it.
During a normal pregnancy, cells called trophoblasts form the placenta, which nourishes the developing baby. In Gestational Trophoblastic Disease (GTD), an abnormality during fertilisation causes these cells to grow abnormally inside the uterus — ranging from benign forms, such as a complete or partial hydatidiform mole ("molar pregnancy"), to malignant forms known as Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia (GTN), which include invasive moles and choriocarcinoma.
GTD has one of the most reliable tumour markers in modern medicine — human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) — which allows precise diagnosis, monitoring and confirmation of cure. Managing it well requires familiarity with FIGO/WHO risk scoring and serial β-hCG protocols, and Dr. Banerjee's practice covers the complete pathway: diagnosis, evacuation, surveillance, and chemotherapy-based treatment where GTN develops.
GTD is unusual among gynaecological conditions in that it is tracked almost entirely through a single reliable blood marker — β-hCG. Dr. Banerjee's approach follows the disease's own natural stages closely, from the first suspicious symptoms through to confirmation of cure and future pregnancy planning.
A molar pregnancy can feel like a normal pregnancy at first. As abnormal tissue grows, warning signs — dark brown or bright red bleeding, unusually severe nausea, or a uterus growing faster than expected — call for prompt, precise diagnosis.
A routine transvaginal ultrasound often reveals the classic "snowstorm" appearance characteristic of a molar pregnancy.
Measuring the exact level of β-hCG in the blood — in GTD, levels are typically far higher than in a normal pregnancy, and the trend over time is diagnostic.
Tissue removed during treatment is examined under a microscope to confirm the exact type of molar pregnancy or tumour.
Most molar pregnancies are managed with a single minor procedure, followed by a defined period of hormone-level surveillance to confirm the disease has fully cleared.
Under guidance, the abnormal tissue is carefully removed from the uterus while preserving the uterine lining wherever possible.
Weekly β-hCG blood monitoring is critical until levels drop to zero, followed by monthly checks for several months, to ensure no hidden abnormal cells remain.
Reliable contraception is recommended throughout the surveillance period, since a new pregnancy would interfere with β-hCG tracking.
A plateau or rise in β-hCG after evacuation indicates persistent disease — GTN. It is evaluated using the FIGO/WHO Risk Scoring System and treated according to that risk category.
Typically treated with single-agent chemotherapy (such as Methotrexate or Actinomycin-D), yielding cure rates near 100%.
Managed with combination chemotherapy regimens and coordinated specialist care to achieve remission.
May be considered in select cases — for women who have completed childbearing, or for localised chemo-resistant lesions.
One of the most common concerns is whether future pregnancy is still possible. For the vast majority of women treated for GTD or GTN, the answer is yes.
Treatment for GTD — including single-agent chemotherapy for GTN — does not typically impact long-term fertility or increase the risk of future birth defects.
Once the recommended surveillance period is complete and cleared by a gynaecological oncologist, patients can safely plan for future pregnancies.
Continued monitoring under a gynaecological oncologist ensures treatment has followed international evidence-based guidelines for the best possible outcome.
In the early stages, a molar pregnancy may feel like a normal pregnancy. As abnormal tissue grows, certain warning signs may appear:
If you experience unusual bleeding or severe symptoms during early pregnancy, it is essential to consult a specialist promptly.
"Committed to bringing the highest standard of gynaecological cancer care — with science, skill, and deep compassion — to every patient who trusts me with their care."