2022-RA-1223-ESGO Cervical cancer in pregnancy: what are the challenges?

• Published in: International journal of gynecological cancer Vol. 32; no. Suppl 2; p. A47
• Main Authors: Buruiana, Felicia Elena, Olaoye, Tejumola, Scerif, Miski, Pervaiz, Zara, Singh, Kavita
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 20.10.2022; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Cervical cancer; Gestational age; Pregnancy
• ISSN: 1048-891X; 1525-1438
• DOI: 10.1136/ijgc-2022-ESGO.103

Introduction/BackgroundCervical cancer in pregnancy is a rare event, however it is the most common malignancy diagnosed in pregnancy. The management of the cervical cancer in pregnancy is still challenging as it must take into consideration maternal health, which takes priority, and the foetal outcome. It varies according to the stage of the disease and the gestational age at diagnosis, and it follows the guidelines for the non-pregnant state, expert opinions and few case reports. The prognosis of the cervical cancer in pregnancy is not influenced by the pregnancy.MethodologyWe present 3 cases of cervical cancer in pregnancy who were diagnosed and treated in our department, and their outcomes. All the 3 cases were locally advanced cervical cancer, IB1, IIB and IB2 respectively.ResultsTo date, all the 3 women in this case series are doing well, being under the follow up as per guidelines.ConclusionCervical cancer in pregnancy, regardless the gestational age at which it is diagnosed, requires an immediate multidisciplinary approach including the obstetrician, the gynaecologist oncologist, the nurse specialised in gynaecology oncology, the radiologist, histopathologist, anaesthetist, neonatologist. The counselling of the mother is paramount, since the optimal maternal treatment must be balanced versus foetal outcome. The main aim in managing pregnancies complicated by cervical carcinoma shall be balancing the benefit over the harm, as well the quality of life for mother and baby, if the clinical circumstances allow for the pregnancy to be continued.Patients with suspicious lesions of the cervix in pregnancy should be referred for a specialist review and biopsy, if required. The type of treatment and the delivery will be decided based on the histological diagnosis.