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Metastatic unknown primary tumor presenting in pregnancy as multiple cerebral infarcts
Vincenzo Berghella1, Richard E Broth, Andrew E Chapman
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA.
Background:
Cancer presenting during pregnancy is a rare event. There are no reports of an unknown primary tumor presenting during pregnancy.
Case:
A 35-year-old primigravida presented at 16 weeks' gestation with multiple cerebral infarcts. After a negative workup she was discharged on anticoagulation therapy, only to return at 29 weeks with diffuse, metastatic cancer of unknown primary origin. After an elective 32-week delivery she received aggressive chemotherapy but ultimately died 5 months later.
Conclusion:
Malignancy should be included in the differential diagnosis of unusual, unexplained cases of thromboembolism in pregnancy.