hydatidiform mole

A non-cancerous (benign) tumour that starts in the layer of the uterus (womb) that normally develops into the placenta during pregnancy.

Hydatidiform mole is the non-cancerous (benign) form of gestational trophoblastic disease. On rare occasions it can develop into the cancerous (malignant) form (choriocarcinoma).

Also called molar pregnancy.