Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: A prospective study to research the relationship between initial levels of prolactin in the development and outcome of patients with gestational trophoblastic disease.

Material and method: A longitudinal study including 51 women attending the Reference Center of Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia of Rio de Janeiro- Brazil, with complete mole, and comproved histopatologic examination. All women were followed up until remission was achieved. The criteria of selection was the level of hCG above 100,000 mIU/ml, a risk factor included in the FIGO 2000 staging and risk factor scoring system for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. Two groups were established: the first one with prolactin level >30 ng/ml and the second one with prolactin level <30 ng/ml. The serum levels of hCG and prolactin followed the same time interval established by the consensus protocol for the monitoring of gestational trophoblastic disease.

Results: Of 208 patients registered in the GTN Reference Center in Rio de Janeiro during the period analyzed, 51 presented with βhCG serum levels ≥100.000 mUI/ml: 36 (70.6%) had prolactin levels above 30 ng/ml (group 1) and 15 (29.4%) had prolactin levels <30 ng/ml (group 2). In group 1, 25 presented with vaginal bleeding, 12 with uterus large for gestational age, four had hypertension and 18 hyperemesis. Six patients were diagnosed with bilateral ovarian cists. Spontaneous remission occured in 27 patients, nine requiring chemotherapy. In group 2, three patients presented with vaginal bleeding, none had uterus large for gestational age, none had hypertension, four patients had hyperemesis and two were diagnosed with bilateral ovarian cists; 14 went into spontaneous remission, one was submitted to chemotherapy.

Conclusion: In this study of 51 patients with complete mole there was not found any correlation between baseline prolactin levels, progression to spontaneous remission, indication for chemotherapy or time interval for remission.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.