Trophoblastic reminiscences.

Development of the radioimmunoassay in the 1950s and early '60s largely eliminated early problems with human chorionic gonadotropin and permitted the U.K. to offer a national service for gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) patients. In 1973 a voluntary registration scheme for patients with hydatidiform mole (HM) opened at 3 U.K. locations. The Charing Cross Centre has followed > 35,000 women with HM, and 2,500 have undergone treatment for various forms of GTD. All treated patients are followed indefinitely and the data computerized. Disasters have occurred in 1 country from misinterpretation of erroneous hCG assays. In terms of experience and data collection, the advantages of a specialized service are overwhelming. This society's main thrust should be to ensure that women with GTD in all countries benefit from specialized management.