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Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) comprises a rare group of pregnancy-related tumours, ranging from premalignant forms, including partial and complete hydatidiform moles (molar pregnancies), to malignant types (referred to as gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN)), which include invasive mole, choriocarcinoma, placental site trophoblastic tumours and epithelioid trophoblastic tumours. Although uncommon, GTD affects around 220,000 women globally each year, with 22,000 developing GTN. In a recent podcast, the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Gynecological Cancer, Dr Pedro Ramirez, sat down with CTRT’s Chair of Trustee’s Professor Michael Seckl and Dr Christianne Lok, two leading international experts in gynaecologic oncology, to discuss Practical Guidelines for the Treatment of GTD: Collaboration of the European Organization for the Treatment of Trophoblastic Disease (EOTTD)-European Society of Gynecologic Oncology (ESGO)-Gynecologic Cancer Intergroup (GCIG)-International Society for the Study of Trophoblastic Diseases (ISSTD), recently published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Developed by 53 specialists across 31 countries, these guidelines represent the most comprehensive global consensus to date. One key topic of discussion in the podcast was the importance of specialized GTD centres. The new guidelines define clear criteria for such centres, with the hope of improving access to expert care worldwide. Even though these tumours are uncommon, centralization of care, the experts explained, improves outcome, as shown in studies of other cancers and rare diseases. The experts also emphasized that careful history-taking should always be part of the diagnostic process, regardless of any latest developments. Abnormal bleeding, severe nausea or abdominal pain can point to GTD, but confirmation relies on ultrasonography, measurement of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG; a pregnancy hormone often raised in GTD), and most importantly, tissue analysis; genetic testing can also help. The guidelines also include flowcharts to guide doctors through diagnostic dilemmas. Another focus of the guidelines is treatment approaches. For low-risk GTN, single-agent chemotherapy with either methotrexate or actinomycin D is highly effective; the choice of drug often depends on local healthcare systems and patient preference. For high- and ultra-high-risk patients, low-dose induction regimens are often advised prior to more intensive combination chemotherapy treatment to avoid dangerous complications. The experts highlighted how immunotherapy has emerged as a transformative treatment option, particularly for patients who previously faced poor outcomes, as well as offering new hope for patients with very rare subtypes such as placental site and epithelioid trophoblastic tumours. Finally, the guidelines emphasize individualized follow-up. The accompanying flowcharts help clinicians tailor surveillance, while recent evidence has suggested that follow-up after partial and complete moles could potentially be shortened once hCG levels normalize — welcome news for women hoping to conceive again. The experts also considered fertility in their discussion of disease recurrence in the podcast. These new guidelines represent a milestone for GTD care, paving the way for better support and outcomes for patients worldwide. Listen to the full podcast with Professor Seckl and Dr Lok here.

Are you thinking of setting up an In Memory page for a loved one on behalf of CTRT but unsure on where to start? We’ve laid out all the information here that you will initially need to create your tribute page. What is an In Memory page? An In-Memory is a personalised tribute page that commemorates and celebrates the life of someone special and helps continue raising funds in their memory. It is an online space where you, your family and friends can share photos, stories, and memories about a loved one and donate to support The Cancer Treatment and Research Trust. Why create an In Memory page? An In Memory page is a wonderful way to remember a loved one, to celebrate their life and their commitment to a cause. The funds raised will be used by our charity to conduct life-changing cancer research and support the treatment of patients at Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, Charing Cross, and Hammersmith Hospitals. Your In Memory page can also be an effective way of keeping track of past, current and future fundraising, or donations you may receive in memory of your loved one by keeping them all in one place. How do I create an In Memory page? It’s easy to get started and create your own In Memory page. Simply visit our dedicated In Memory page on the CTRT website here: Online tribute funds and click 'Create a Tribute fund' and follow the step-by-step process. It only takes a few minutes to complete. There is an option to set a fundraising target on the page if you would like to include this. New In Memory feature – Light a CandleIn Memory pages now have the ability to feature a virtual candle which can be lit by a loved one, along with a donation, to mark a special occasion such as a birthday, anniversary or Christmas, or simply to honour a memory. The Light a Candle feature provides you and your family and friends with the opportunity to share a more personal donation in memory of your loved one, and to continue to return and pay tribute to them for years to come. Click here to access a demo page to see what an In Memory page layout can look like. Is there a fee to set up an In Memory page? Your In Memory page is free to set up. Can I add Gift Aid to my donation? Yes. If your gift is eligible, simply tick the Gift Aid box when you make your donation. Can I add offline donations? If you have sent donations to us separately in the post or have fundraised for an event on a different platform, there is an option for these amounts to be included and combined in your In Memory page fundraising platform. This is usually best practice so that you, your family and friends can see all fundraising in one place. Is there someone I can talk to directly about my In Memory page? If you have any questions or want to chat through setting up your page, the friendly CTRT can help. Please contact us by email on info@ctrtrust.co.uk or give us a call on 07758 739185. Thank you for considering setting up an In Memory page to honour the memory of your loved one and support CTRT in our important cancer research. Set up your In Memory page with CTRT here: Online tribute funds