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Cervical cancer in pregnancy
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
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The combination of cervical cancer and pregnancy occurs with a frequency of 1 in 1000-2500 pregnancies. The pregnancy rate in patients with cervical cancer is 30%.
There are significant differences in the age of pregnant women with cervical cancer. The average age of non-pregnant women with cervical cancer is 48 years, while that of pregnant women with cervical cancer is 28 years.
Signs of tumor damage to the cervix in pregnant women and outside of pregnancy are almost the same. If at the beginning of the disease there are no pronounced clinical signs, then as the process progresses, liquid watery discharge from the genitals and contact bleeding appear.
For timely detection of cervical cancer during the initial examination of pregnant women at the antenatal clinic, together with a special obstetric examination, it is necessary to conduct an examination of the cervix in speculums with simultaneous smears from the surface of the vaginal part of the cervix and the cervical canal for cytological examination. Cytological examination of smears plays a leading role in the detection of cervical cancer. If necessary, pregnant women undergo a special examination with an examination of the cervix using a colposcope and a biopsy of a suspicious area of the cervix. The biopsy should be performed in a hospital setting due to the risk of bleeding.
Clinically apparent cancer may appear as an ulcer or papillary growth that resembles cauliflower.
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Pregnancy management in cervical cancer
In case of a combination of cervical cancer and pregnancy, treatment measures should be planned taking into account the gestational age, stage of the tumor process and biological properties of the tumor. In this case, the interests of the mother should be put first. When determining the tactics of pregnancy management for patients with cervical cancer, an oncologist consultation is necessary.
In case of intraepithelial carcinoma (stage 0) of the cervix, pregnancy may be carried to term with removal of the cervix 1.5-2 months after delivery. If invasive cancer is detected in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, extended uterine extirpation is indicated. In case of advanced tumor process, radiation therapy should be performed after removal of the ovum. In case of invasive cancer and the presence of a viable fetus, a cesarean section should be performed at the first stage, followed by extended uterine extirpation. If complete removal of the uterus is impossible, its supravaginal amputation with subsequent radiation therapy is allowed. Antitumor drugs may be used.
The prognosis for women with cervical cancer and pregnancy is less favorable than for women who are not pregnant.