Question

Which of the following statements about partial mole is false?

• A. Usually associated with triploidy
• B. Rarely causes persistent gestational trophoblastic neoplasia
• C. Usually presents as missed abortion
• D. Can be reliably diagnosed by USG in early gestation

Hint:

Early ultrasound often misses a partial mole; histology confirms it.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Recall the features of a partial hydatidiform mole and check each statement, because the question asks which one is FALSE.
Step 2: Statement A, usually associated with triploidy. This is TRUE. A partial mole typically has 69 chromosomes (triploid), from one egg fertilised by two sperm or one diploid sperm. So A is correct.
Step 3: Statement B, rarely causes persistent gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. This is TRUE. Partial moles have a low risk of progressing to persistent trophoblastic disease, around 1 to 5 percent, far less than complete moles. So B is correct.
Step 4: Statement C, usually presents as missed abortion. This is TRUE. Partial moles often present as a missed or incomplete abortion rather than the classic grape-like passage, because there is a fetus or fetal tissue and only focal villous swelling.
Step 5: Statement D, can be reliably diagnosed by USG in early gestation. This is FALSE. Partial moles are notoriously hard to detect on early ultrasound, the changes are subtle and often missed, and many are only confirmed on histology after evacuation. So D is the false statement and the answer is option D.