Cervical cancer in pregnancy
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
The combination of cervical cancer and pregnancy occurs at a frequency of 1 per 1000-2500 pregnancies. The frequency of pregnancy in patients with cervical cancer is 3%.
There are great differences in the age of pregnant women, patients with cervical cancer. The average age of patients with cervical cancer without pregnancy is 48 years, and pregnant women with cervical cancer are 28 years old.
Signs of tumor lesion of the cervix in pregnant and non-pregnant women are almost the same. If at the beginning of the disease any severe clinical signs are absent, then with the progression of the process, liquid watery discharge from the genital organs and contact bleeding appear.
For timely recognition of cervical cancer during a primary examination of pregnant women in a women's consultation, together with a special obstetric examination, it is necessary to examine the cervix in the mirrors while taking smears from the surface of the vaginal cervix and the cervical canal for a cytological examination. Cytological examination of smears plays a leading role in the recognition of cervical cancer. If necessary, pregnant women undergo special examination with examination of the cervix with a colposcope and a biopsy of the suspicious region of the cervix. A biopsy should be performed in a hospital due to the risk of bleeding.
A clinically expressed cancerous tumor can have the appearance of an ulcer or papillary growth that resembles a cauliflower.
[Where does it hurt?
Who to contact?
Pregnancy management for cervical cancer
With the combination of cervical cancer and pregnancy, treatment should be planned taking into account the period of pregnancy, the stage of the tumor process and the biological properties of the tumor. At the same time, the interests of the mother must be put on the first place. When determining the tactics of managing pregnancy, patients with cervical cancer need advice from an oncologist.
In the case of intra-epithelial carcinoma (stage 0) of the cervix, pregnancy can be worn with removal of the cervix after 1.5-2 months. After childbirth. In the detection of invasive cancer in the I and II trimesters of pregnancy, extensive uterine extirpation is indicated. When a tumorous process is started, radiotherapy should be performed after removal of the fetal egg. With invasive cancer and the presence of a viable fetus, the first stage should be performed by cesarean section, and in the future - extended uterine extirpation. If it is impossible to completely remove the uterus, its supravaginal amputation with subsequent radiotherapy is permissible. Possible use of antitumor drugs.
The prognosis for a combination of cervical cancer and pregnancy is less favorable than in non-pregnant women.