molar pregnancy

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A slow-growing tumor that develops from trophoblastic cells (cells in the uterus that help form the placenta) after fertilization of an egg by a sperm. A molar pregnancy contains many cysts (sacs of fluid). It is usually benign (noncancerous) but it may spread to nearby tissues (invasive mole) or become a malignant tumor called choriocarcinoma. Molar pregnancy is the most common type of gestational trophoblastic tumor. Also called hydatidiform mole.