The Prophylactic Role of Aromatase Inhibitor Letrozole in Decreasing the Incidence of Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia in Patients With Complete Hydatidiform Mole

Management of hydatidiform mole is usually evacuation followed by β-hcg surveillance to early detect cases of GTN . The risk of developing GTN is reported to be 16% to 20% in women with CHM . GTN is a potentially life-threatening malignancy but has an excellent cure rate. Trials were conducted to assess the role of prophylactic chemotherapy to prevent the development of GTN. In addition to their side effects, a meta-analysis concluded that there is insufficient evidence to support the use of prophylactic chemotherapy in clinical practice. Third-generation aromatase inhibitors such as letrozole have been shown to successfully block estrogen production in women of reproductive age. Their safety, high tolerability, low cost, and associated minimal adverse effects have all been established over several decades of clinical use and recently used successfully alone in the medical treatment of ectopic pregnancy making marked degenerative effects on the placenta.

The study hypothesizes that by inhibiting the estrogen synthetase (the aromatase enzyme) progesterone would not exert its physiological role in maintaining early pregnancy including complete hydatidiform mole. Thus, using a prophylactic aromatase inhibitor after CHM may have a role in the prevention of GTN and more effective clearance of β-hcg.

Rational GTN is a potentially life-threatening malignancy. The risk of progression of CHM to GTN is 20%. Prophylactic use of aromatase inhibitor may decrease the incidence of GTN.

Research question:

Is prophylactic use of aromatase inhibitor effective in decreasing the incidence of GTN in patients with CHM