Human Trophoblast Neoplasms, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1984 Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology Series, Vol. 157

This book addresses neoplasms of the human trophoblast. The scant literature available on the epidemiology of trophoblast neoplasms suggests that they are as much as ten times more common in Africa, Asia, India, and much of the developing world than in Western countries. The stimulus for the book evolved out of a common interest to combine Western technology with the clinical experience in the developing world in a common pursuit of the study and eradication of trophoblast neoplasia. There is substantial evidence to contend that gene derepression as seen in trophoblastic disease may be a universal prerequisite to neoplastic transformation in general. The recent discovery that the tumor markers, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or its subunits, are identifiable in over 90 percent of all extracted neoplasms suggests a critical role for this common denominator of gene derepression in neoplasia. This gene derepression concept in reproductive biology and neoplasia spans many of the basic parameters of human cell replication as related to endocrinology, immunology, biochemistry, electrophysiol­ ogy, genetics, and pharmacology. The International Society for the Study of Trophoblastic Disease focuses on the global aspects of trophoblast neoplasms. These global aspects include epidemiology and etiology of the disease, regional variations in treatment of trophoblastic neoplasms, and potential ways to adapt and apply Western technology to effective use in developing countries. It was this perspective that formed the basis for the First World Congress on Trophoblast Neoplasms, which convened in Nairobi in October, 1982.

Pregnancy and Neoplasia.- On the Nature of Gestational Trophoblastic Disease.- Exposure to Chemical Carcinogens During Pregnancy: Consequences for Mother and Conceptus.- Immunology, Gestation, and Neoplasia.- Genetic Origin, Immunobiology, and Gonadotropin Expression in Trophoblast and Nontrophoblast Neoplasms.- Immunology in Genesis of Partial and Total Hydatidiform Mole.- Complement System in Abnormal Pregnancy and Chorionic Neoplasia: Immunotherapy and Chemotherapy of Chorionic Neoplasia.- Placental Senescence.- Genetic Origin of Trophoblast Neoplasms.- Complete and Partial Hydatidiform Moles: Cytogenetic and Morphological Aspects.- Genetic Studies on Hydatidiform Moles.- Epidemiologic Aspects of Trophoblastic Neoplasms.- Epidemiology of Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasm at the Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia.- Epidemiologic Aspects of Gestational Trophoblastic Diseases in Ibadan, Nigeria.- Epidemiology of Trophoblast Disease in Africa — Lagos.- Human Chorionic Gonadotropin.- Immunochemistry of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin.- New Horizons in hCG Detection.- The Carbohydrate on Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Produced by Cancer Cells.- Paradoxical Effect of Antibodies Against Chorionic Gonadotropin on BeWo Choriocarcinoma Cells In Vitro and In Vivo: Evidence for Heterogeneity of Cell Types.- The Surface Charge of Cells Producing hCG.- The Role of Trophoblast Differentiation in the Control of the hCG and hPL Genes.- Clinical Applications of hCG.- Clinical Staging.- A Proposal on the Clinical Staging of Malignant Trophoblastic Neoplasms Based on the Study of Process of Development of the Disease.- Chemotherapy and Clinical Management.- The Role of Methotrexate in the Chemotherapy of Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasms.- Re-Evaluation of 5-Fluorouracilas a Single Agent for Gestational Malignant Trophoblastic Neoplasms.- Management of Patients with Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia: Experience of the Southeastern Regional Center.- The Role of Regional Centers for Gestational Trophoblastic Disease.- The Study and Treatment of Gestational Trophoblastic Diseases at the Brewer Trophoblastic Disease Center, 1962–1979.- Pitfalls in the Management of Trophoblastic Disease in Africa.- The Problems of Management of Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasms at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.- Ten Years’ Experience with Trophoblastic Tumors in Portugal.- Abstracts First World Congress on Trophoblast Neoplasms October 25–27, 1982 University of Nairobi Medical School Nairobi, Kenya.- Contributors.