Coexistence of pregnancy and cancer

The purpose of this study was to review patients with cancer during pregnancy, the effectiveness of the available methods of treatment, and their prognosis. A retrospective chart review was conducted of all women diagnosed with pregnancy-associated cancer between 1974 and 2002 at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center. The demographics, clinical presentation, time and mode of diagnosis, treatment, pregnancy outcome, and maternal survival were noted. The incidence of carcinoma in pregnancy in the series was 0.32/1000 deliveries. The age ranged from 16 to 41 years (mean 30.5 years). No patient underwent a therapeutic abortion, and all patients delivered a healthy infant with no malformations. Metastases developed in three patients with median time of 44 months (range 13-96 months) to presentation of metastases from the time of initial diagnosis. Association of cancer with pregnancy is a rare occurrence. Rates of specific cancers in pregnant and nonpregnant women appear to be equivalent. Pregnant women with cancer are often diagnosed at a later stage compared to their nonpregnant counterparts. Though the cancer may be diagnosed at a more advanced stage, pregnant patients with cancer do not appear to have a more aggressive clinical course.