[Gynecological cancer and pregnancy]

The available data regarding the impact of pregnancy on the course of gynecologic cancers and the effects of the malignant processes and their treatments on both the mother and the fetus are analyzed in the present work. The incidence of specific gynecologic cancers in pregnant women parallels that in woman of child bearing age in general. Cervical cancer is the most common followed by breast and ovarian cancer. The review of the recent literature indicates that for equivalent clinical stage, maternal age and lymph node involvement, survival rate of patients affected with gynecologic cancer during pregnancy is similar to those of non-pregnant women. A conflict between maternal therapy and fetal well-being is frequently observed in cases of invasive gynecologic cancer and a multidisciplinary approach is crucial to optimal treatment of the mother and her fetus.