[Cerebral tumors and pregnancy. Apropos of 8 cases]

Pregnancy is an aggravating factor for brain tumours on which it acts by three mechanism: acceleration of tumour growth, increase of peritumoral oedema and the immunotolerance to foreign tissue antigens that is proper to pregnancy. Histologically, the brain tumour most frequently encountered is glioma, usually revealed during the third trimester. Brain tumours is pregnant women have no special clinical features, and their diagnosis rests on computerized tomography or nuclear magnetic resonance completed, if required, by stereotactic biopsy. Following a review of the literature, the authors present an updated description of the neurological and obstetrical actions to be taken, illustrated by a report of eight personal cases. The indications for surgery depend on the site and histological nature of the tumour. As regards obstetrical measures, induced therapeutic abortion and caesarean section, no longer routinely performed, are now being replaced by vaginal delivery with systematic instrumental extraction. In both mother and foetus the prognosis has improved over the last ten year, but it remains very sombre.