Epithelial ovarian cancer in pregnancy: a review of the literature

Abstract

Maternal epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is rare, and consequently, management strategies remain unclear due to the low incidence and paucity of reported data. Management depends on gestation, disease stage, future fertility desires, and the mother's wishes to continue pregnancy. Forty-one cases of maternal EOC were identified in the literature. Reporting of clinicopathological variables, treatment regimens, and follow up varied markedly. There are currently no definitive guidelines regarding the management of maternal EOC. Case reporting should contain detailed information on clinicopathological variables, treatment regimens, and maternal and neonatal outcomes. Data centralisation may be beneficial in identifying optimal management strategies in these rare tumours.

Extremely large epithelial ovarian cancer associated with pregnancy: A case report

“…Ovarian tumors rarely cause lower abdominal pain or other symptoms during pregnancy (1,8). Approximately 2-6% of ovarian tumors associated with pregnancy are malignant (6,8).…”

“…Ultrasound examinations are not capable of differentiating between benign and low malignant potential tumors; therefore, further imaging examinations are necessary (7). MRI examinations may be safely performed during the second and third trimesters; furthermore, they may also reveal potential extraovarian spread (1,11).…”

“…Ovarian cancer is the second most frequent gynecological cancer complicating pregnancy (1,2). Due to routine ultrasound examinations, the incidence of abdominal masses diagnosed during pregnancy has increased, and is estimated to be 2-10% of all pregnancies (1)(2)(3).…”

“…Due to routine ultrasound examinations, the incidence of abdominal masses diagnosed during pregnancy has increased, and is estimated to be 2-10% of all pregnancies (1)(2)(3). Functional cysts are the most common type of adnexal mass associated with pregnancy (1,2,4). The majority of benign masses are dermoid cysts, serous cystadenomas or mucinous cystadenomas; on rare occasions, endometriomas, hydrosalpinx, heterotopic pregnancy or leiomyomas may be diagnosed (4).…”

“…Malignant germ cell tumors are the most common ovarian malignancies during pregnancy, while epithelial cancers with low malignant potential are reported less frequently (1,2,5). The incidence of epithelial ovarian cancer is 1:12,000-1:50,000 of pregnancies (1). There are no exact data on mortality due to epithelial ovarian cancer in pregnancy; however, the prognosis is similar to that of non-pregnant patients (6).…”