- hydatiform mole
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Abnormal conceptus in which an embryo is absent and there is excessive proliferation of placental villi. In most cases the tissue is diploid XX with both X chromosomes being of paternal origin and thus it is thought that it may arise by fertilization of a dead ovum. May occasionally become invasive though the metastases regress following removal of the mole. Not to be confused with hydatid cyst.
Dictionary of molecular biology. 2004.