Invasive cervical cancer diagnosed in an 8-month pregnant woman: a case report

Abstract

Gynecologic and skin cancers are those most frequently encountered during pregnancy. Cervical cancer during pregnancy is rare, and concerns remain about its management. We report the case of a 33 years-old women, in whom an invasive stage IIA cervical cancer was diagnosed during her eighth month of pregnancy. At 36 weeks of gestation, a caesarian section was realized. After nodal staging surgery without para-aortic lymphadenectomy, adjunctive chemoradiation therapy was initiated. Thereafter, facing tumor progression, hysterectomy or brachytherapy was no longer possible due to extensive cervix necrosis. The patient died 15 months after the diagnosis of cervical cancer. Knowledge is limited regarding cervical cancer management during pregnancy. A more aggressive therapeutic approach may be considered with radical hysterectomy, brachytherapy and lymphadenectomy.

Clinical and Management Dilemmas Concerning Early-Stage Cervical Cancer in Pregnancy – A Case Report

“…Furthermore, with vaginal delivery, the tumor may obstruct the birth canal and cause massive bleeding during delivery. 7 , 18 , 19 The time of the delivery must be carefully considered to ensure that the patient is not neutropenic. It is advisable to wait a minimum of three weeks between the final dosage of chemotherapy and delivery to enable time for maternal and fetal bone marrow regeneration.…”