{"title":"Prenatal genomic sequencing: Navigating uncertainty","authors":"Médéric Jeanne , Wendy K. Chung","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152058","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152058","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Prenatal genomic sequencing is now routine for fetal structural anomalies. Prenatal genomic sequencing results inform medical decision-making and guide pre and postnatal management by identifying associated clinical features, allowing planning, coordination, and timely treatment and avoiding unnecessary additional diagnostic tests. However, clinical details are limited in the prenatal setting making diagnostic certainty more difficult. This leads to more frequent variants of uncertain significance (VUS) and accompanying questions of if and when to report VUS. We review current practices and recommendations on reporting VUS and include perspectives of parents. However, there are no clear recommendations for reporting uncertain prenatal results. With greater access to prenatal phenotypes from retrospective and prospective prenatal cases and postnatal cases with the same recurrent variant, there should be greater certainty of results and lower frequency of VUS over time.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":"49 3","pages":"Article 152058"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144108086","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kristin P. Tully , Rose L. Molina , Johanna Quist-Nelson , Lisa Wangerien , Kanika Harris , Amber L. Weiseth , Joyce K. Edmonds
{"title":"Supporting patient autonomy through respectful labor and childbirth healthcare services","authors":"Kristin P. Tully , Rose L. Molina , Johanna Quist-Nelson , Lisa Wangerien , Kanika Harris , Amber L. Weiseth , Joyce K. Edmonds","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152048","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152048","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite childbirth being a leading cause of hospitalization, the system of care has not been optimized for patients in the United States. Rates of maternal mortality are high, increasing, and disproportionate. In addition to disparities in health outcomes, the quality of perinatal care, as assessed by patient experiences of care, is variable. Although clinicians strive to actively support families through labor and childbirth, various forms of mistreatment are common in perinatal care. Such instances of patient mistreatment highlight an urgent need to further enact respectful maternity care principles so that services are more person-focused and supportive. Welcoming clinical environments with relationship-centered care, trauma-informed interactions, and anti-racist practices support maternal autonomy. As a part of these quality care approaches, effective communication by clinicians helps patients understand their healthcare options and the events that shape their childbirth experiences. Nonstigmatizing interactions, using linguistically and culturally appropriate language, and integrating tools for shared decision making are essential elements of quality intrapartum care. A reproductive justice lens focuses attention on the need to eliminate infringements on health and build assurances to enable positive health outcomes and thriving.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":"49 3","pages":"Article 152048"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144108087","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Christina S. Oh , Elizabeth F. Sher , Amy K. Bieber
{"title":"Melanoma in pregnancy","authors":"Christina S. Oh , Elizabeth F. Sher , Amy K. Bieber","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152040","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152040","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cutaneous melanoma is a malignant neoplasm of melanocytes that most frequently affects the skin. It is the most common malignancy in women of childbearing age, and accounts for almost one-third of all malignancies diagnosed during gestation. The pathophysiology of melanoma, particularly during pregnancy, is not well understood, but there are several ways in which the physiologic state pregnancy may impact melanoma. Based on the available literature, pregnancy does not seem to worsen maternal outcomes with melanoma, and outside of placental and fetal metastases, melanoma does not seem to cause serious obstetric or fetal complications. Treatment of localized melanoma during pregnancy follows guidelines for the general population, but advanced melanoma in pregnancy poses unique challenges given the lack of unifying research and management recommendations. Herein, we review the current literature, highlighting diagnostic clinical pearls and key multidisciplinary management considerations with regard to melanoma in the child-bearing population.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":"49 2","pages":"Article 152040"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143610737","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Charlotte LeJeune , Nathalia Mora-Soto , Lone Storgaard , René Pareja , Frédéric Amant
{"title":"Cervical cancer in pregnancy","authors":"Charlotte LeJeune , Nathalia Mora-Soto , Lone Storgaard , René Pareja , Frédéric Amant","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152038","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152038","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cervical cancer is one of the most common and challenging malignancies diagnosed during pregnancy, requiring a complex balance between effective oncological management and pregnancy preservation. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence and clinical experience regarding the management of cervical cancer in pregnant patients. While treatment should generally follow standard protocols for nonpregnant patients, emerging data suggest that pregnancy can often be safely maintained without compromising oncological outcomes. Nevertheless, robust prognostic data from larger patient cohorts are still needed. Individualized treatment approaches that incorporate the patient's preferences and values are crucial. Given the complexities involved, referral to specialized tertiary centers with expertise in the oncological and obstetric care of pregnant cancer patients is strongly recommended to ensure optimal outcomes for both mother and child.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":"49 2","pages":"Article 152038"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143610736","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Obstetric and perinatal management in the setting of cancer","authors":"Eve Overton , Gabriela Tessler","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152044","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152044","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Obstetric care for patients with cancer diagnoses during pregnancy is medically and ethically complex, and limited prospective data and national guidelines are available to guide care. Guiding principles for treatment are to optimize maternal outcomes while minimizing neonatal morbidity. Oncologic work- up and management are dependent on the trimester of diagnosis, and are specific to the type, stage, and grade of the oncologic diagnosis. Obstetric care should occur within a multidisciplinary setting, with involvement of maternal fetal medicine, oncologic specialists, and mental health support.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":"49 2","pages":"Article 152044"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143610741","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Thyroid cancer","authors":"Liyang Tang , Trevor E Angell","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152042","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152042","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Thyroid cancer encountered during pregnancy requires a systematic approach balancing risks and benefits to both maternal and fetal health specific to this unique phase of life. Thyroid nodules are common and are predominantly evaluated to detect thyroid cancer. Clinical examination, serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) measurement, ultrasonographic risk stratification, and fine needle aspiration biopsy when indicated are used to assess for malignancy. When thyroid cancer is diagnosed, further evaluation determines whether surgery during gestation is necessary or if delaying surgery until after delivery to minimize fetal and maternal risks is preferred. For patients who have undergone thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer, whether during pregnancy or before it, active management of levothyroxine therapy during pregnancy is recommended to ensure a sufficient thyroid hormone supply for both thyroid cancer treatment and optimal reproductive outcomes. This clinically oriented review summarizes key data, recommendations, and current trends regarding thyroid cancer care in pregnancy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":"49 2","pages":"Article 152042"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143610739","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Adam S. Zayac, Ogechukwu Egini, Neil D. Palmisiano, Andrew M. Evens
{"title":"Lymphoma and leukemia occurring during pregnancy","authors":"Adam S. Zayac, Ogechukwu Egini, Neil D. Palmisiano, Andrew M. Evens","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152041","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152041","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Malignancies arising during pregnancy are an infrequent occurrence, leading to a paucity of data on the optimal management of cancers during pregnancy. Unlike most solid tumors, the primary, and often curative, management of hematologic malignancies relies heavily on multiagent cytotoxic chemotherapies over surgery and other localized therapies, making their management during pregnancy even more complex and hazardous to both mother and fetus. Close multidisciplinary care and coordination between obstetrician, maternal fetal medicine, and oncologists are essential given the dangers to both in the management, from diagnosis and throughout treatment, even through delivery and survivorship. Due to the importance of this topic and the number of lives that could be impacted, guidelines have been published by interdisciplinary expert panels based on available data and clinical experience. This review addresses the management of both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas as well as acute and chronic leukemias. The optimal diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic schemes, including the use of cellular therapies, immunotherapies, targeted and cytotoxic agents, as well as guidance on decision making regarding management of the pregnancy weighing both the maternal and fetal risks and benefits of each approach are discussed herein.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":"49 2","pages":"Article 152041"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143610738","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Timothy Wen , Madeleine G. Fish , Alexander M. Friedman
{"title":"Trends and outcomes associated with cancer diagnoses during delivery hospitalizations","authors":"Timothy Wen , Madeleine G. Fish , Alexander M. Friedman","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152046","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152046","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pregnancy associated cancer is fortunately rare. However, cancer risk is age related, and the proportion of births to older women in the United States appears to be increasing. As a result of delayed childbearing and better detection, cancer may be increasing in the obstetric population. A review of data from the United States Inpatient Sample found that from 2000 to 2019 the proportion of deliveries with an active cancer diagnosis doubled and deliveries with a diagnosis of a history of cancer more than tripled. These trends and associations are similar to findings from other registries and population-based studies which show that pregnancy associated cancer is increasing and associated with a range of adverse obstetric outcomes including severe maternal morbidity and preterm birth. Given these trends and findings it is likely pregnancy associated cancer will continue to be of public health and clinical importance and represent an ongoing challenge given the maternal and neonatal risks and specialized, coordinated care required to optimize outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":"49 2","pages":"Article 152046"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143610743","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Immune checkpoint inhibitors and pregnancy: Considerations for treating medically complex patients with the best available therapy","authors":"Elad Sharon","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152045","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152045","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In recent decades, the mean age of childbearing has increased in the United States and other developed countries, coinciding with a rise in cancer diagnoses during pregnancy. This trend is partly due to the increased use of assisted reproductive technologies and a decrease in the mean age of cancer onset for several malignancies. Concurrently, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become a standard treatment for various cancers, yet their safety during pregnancy remains under-researched. This article explores the complex intersection of cancer treatment and pregnancy, focusing on the use of ICIs. Despite societal concerns, data on the safety of ICIs during pregnancy are limited, primarily derived from preclinical animal studies and case reports. While most case reports suggest no significant adverse effects on live births, isolated incidents of severe neonatal complications have been documented. The potential for immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in neonates, such as thyroiditis or enterocolitis, underscores the need for caution. Given the lack of comprehensive data, clinicians face challenging decisions when treating pregnant cancer patients, particularly in metastatic settings where ICIs may be the only viable option. This article advocates for a careful risk-benefit analysis and informed patient discussions, emphasizing the need for further research to guide clinical decision-making in these complex scenarios.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":"49 2","pages":"Article 152045"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143610742","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jennifer R. Jorgensen , Molly A. Brewer , Carolyn D. Runowicz
{"title":"Ovarian cancer in pregnancy","authors":"Jennifer R. Jorgensen , Molly A. Brewer , Carolyn D. Runowicz","doi":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152043","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.semperi.2025.152043","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Objective: The objective of this manuscript is to review the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes of ovarian cancers diagnosed during pregnancy. Finding: 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. Conclusion: 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.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21761,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in perinatology","volume":"49 2","pages":"Article 152043"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143610740","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}