Ovarian cancer in pregnancy

The objective of this manuscript is to review the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of ovarian cancers diagnosed during pregnancy.

Ovarian cancer in pregnancy, although rare, is more likely to be diagnosed early during pregnancy due to the increased use of high resolution ultrasound. Treatment will depend on a multidisciplinary team. These cancers are usually treated with surgery alone during pregnancy, optimally between 13-20 weeks to reduce the risk of miscarriage or preterm labor. Chemotherapy is usually given after delivery if appropriate to the tumor type, unless the patient has widely metastatic disease.

The majority of ovarian cancers diagnosed during pregnancy are Stage I due to both young age and increased use of early ultrasound during pregnancy and have a better overall prognosis than the cancers detected in older women.