The key difference between hydatidiform mole and ectopic pregnancy is that hydatidiform mole is a gestational trophoblastic disease occurring due to the overproduction of trophoblast tissues, which makes abnormal cell masses, while ectopic pregnancy is a rare case occurring due to a fertilized egg implanting and growing outside the main cavity of the uterus.
Gestational trophoblastic disease refers to a group of rare tumors where abnormal trophoblast cells grow inside the uterus. They are indications of abnormal pregnancies. The majority of these cases are non-malignant (benign), but some are cancerous. One type of gestational trophoblastic disease is a hydatidiform mole or molar pregnancy, in which an overproduction of trophoblast tissues occurs, giving abnormal masses. Ectopic pregnancy is a complication of pregnancy, and it occurs when a fertilized egg gets implanted outside of the womb or outside of the uterine cavity. Therefore, hydatidiform mole and ectopic pregnancy are two abnormal pregnancy complications.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Hydatidiform Mole
3. What is Ectopic Pregnancy
4. Similarities – Hydatidiform Mole and Ectopic Pregnancy
5. Hydatidiform Mole vs Ectopic Pregnancy in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Hydatidiform Mole vs Ectopic Pregnancy
What is Hydatidiform Mole?
Hydatidiform mole occurs when a growing mass of tissue in the uterus does not get developed into a fetus. It is also known as a molar pregnancy. It is a very uncommon condition, affecting around 1 in 1200. Hydatidiform mole is usually found in early pregnancy. It is characterized by an abnormal growth of trophoblast cells that generally develop into the placenta.
Figure 01: Hydatidiform Mole
There are two types: a complete and partial hydatidiform mole. In a complete hydatidiform mole, the placental tissue is abnormal and swollen and appears to produce fluid-filled cysts. There is also no fetal tissue formation in this case. In a partial hydatidiform mole, there may be normal placental tissue along with abnormal placental tissue. Fetus formation can be observed, but the fetus is not able to survive. The symptoms of this condition may include dark brown – bright red vaginal bleeding during the first trimester, severe nausea, vomiting, vaginal passage of grapelike cysts, and pelvic pressure or pain. Moreover, hydatidiform moles happen when a specific genetic error occurs during the fertilization of an egg by a sperm.
Hydatidiform mole can be diagnosed through ultrasound and blood tests to check HCG levels. Furthermore, treatment options for hydatidiform mole may include dilation and curettage with suction to remove all abnormal tissue from the uterus and surgery like hysterectomy.
What is Ectopic Pregnancy?
An ectopic pregnancy is a medical condition that occurs when a fertilized egg gets implanted outside the main cavity of the uterus and grows. It often occurs in the fallopian tube, which normally carries eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. This type of pregnancy is also called a tubal pregnancy. Sometimes, ectopic pregnancies occur in other areas, such as oval, abdominal cavity, or lower part of the uterus (cervix). The signs and symptoms of ectopic pregnancy include a missed period, breast tenderness, nausea, vaginal bleeding, extreme light-headedness, fainting, shock, pelvic pain, and shoulder pain. Ectopic pregnancy is caused when the fallopian tube is damaged by hormonal imbalances, inflammation, or abnormal development of the fertilized egg.
Figure 02: Ectopic Pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy is diagnosed through a pelvic examination, pregnancy test, ultrasound, and complete blood test. Furthermore, treatment options for ectopic pregnancy may include medication (methotrexate), laparoscopic procedures, and emergency surgery.
What are the Similarities Between Hydatidiform Mole and Ectopic Pregnancy?
- Hydatidiform mole and ectopic pregnancy are two abnormal pregnancy complications.
- Only women suffer from both conditions.
- They are very rare conditions.
- Both conditions cause pelvic pain.
- These conditions can be diagnosed through blood tests and imaging testing.
- They are treated through specific surgeries.
What is the Difference Between Hydatidiform Mole and Ectopic Pregnancy?
Hydatidiform mole is a rare disease that occurs when the trophoblast tissues are overproduced, while ectopic pregnancy is an abnormal pregnancy condition in which the fertilized egg is implanted and grows outside the main cavity of the uterus. Thus, this is the key difference between hydatidiform mole and ectopic pregnancy. Furthermore, hydatidiform mole happens when a specific genetic error occurs during the fertilization of an egg by a sperm. On the other hand, ectopic pregnancy happens when the fallopian tube is damaged by inflammation, hormonal imbalances, or abnormal development of the fertilized egg.
The following table summarizes the difference between hydatidiform mole and ectopic pregnancy.
Summary – Hydatidiform Mole vs Ectopic Pregnancy
Hydatidiform mole, ectopic pregnancy, and miscarriages are the most common types of pathological pregnancies in the early stage of pregnancy. Hydatidiform mole and ectopic pregnancy are two abnormal pregnancy complications. There is an overproduction of trophoblast tissue in hydatidiform mole. In an ecoptic pregnancy, a fertilized egg is implanted and grows outside the main cavity of the uterus. So, this summarizes the difference between hydatidiform mole and ectopic pregnancy.
Reference:
1. “Hydatidiform mole: Epidemiology, clinical features, and diagnosis.” UpToDate.
2. “Ectopic Pregnancy.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Hydatidiform mole (1) complete type” (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Ectopic Pregnancy” By BruceBlaus – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia