Management of cervical carcinoma diagnosed during pregnancy

Abstract

Pelvic malignancy complicating pregnancy poses a difficult management problem. Survival of the patient is the foremost concern, but fetal viability and well-being are also factors that have to be addressed in these cases. Cervical cancer is rarely diagnosed during pregnancy, but is still the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in pregnancy. Because of the relative infrequency of this condition, guidelines for management are not clearly defined. The basis of treatment for cervical malignancy in a pregnant patient is similar to that of a nonpregnant patient, with variations done to achieve the best possible outcome for the fetus without compromising the mother. Over the last decade, investigators have reported and advocated a more conservative approach to the management of this disease. This article will review the literature on the management of invasive cervical cancer in pregnancy and suggest a treatment scheme.