Evaluating methotrexate treatment in patients with low-risk postmolar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia.

OBJECTIVE

To identify clinical factors associated with requiring more than a single course of Methotrexate (MTX) to achieve remission among women with low-risk postmolar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN).

METHODS

We studied 150 women with persistent GTN after diagnosis of complete (n=110) or partial mole (n=40) to identify possible predictors of requiring additional treatment after a single treatment of methotrexate (MTX). All women had low-risk disease using FIGO and WHO scoring systems.

RESULTS

Seventy women (47%) required additional courses of chemotherapy, of whom 45 (64%) received chemotherapy other than MTX. Multivariate analysis revealed that complete mole histology, presence of metastasis, single day MTX infusion and any increase in serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) level 1 week after MTX therapy were independent predictors of requiring additional MTX or alternative chemotherapy. Dilatation and curettage (D+C) within 1 week after the diagnosis of persistence did not affect future chemotherapy requirements (p>0.64). Following complete mole, beta-hCG levels >2000 mIU/mL at 1 week post MTX were associated with a 89% risk of additional cycles chemotherapy including MTX and a 65% risk of alternative chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Metastatic disease, MTX infusion protocol and complete mole histology were independently associated with the need for additional chemotherapy after an initial course of MTX for women with low risk GTN. D+C at persistence did not alter the chemotherapy requirement. Elevated beta-hCG level at 1 week after the initial course of MTX was also an independent factor predicting the need for additional courses of MTX or alternative chemotherapy.