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Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer in Pregnancy: Overcoming the Challenge. A Case Series and Review of the Literature
  1. Caterina Ricci, MD,
  2. Giovanni Scambia, MD and
  3. Rosa De Vincenzo, MD, PhD
  1. Polo Salute della Donna e del Bambino, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli,” Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
  1. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Rosa De Vincenzo, MD, PhD, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. E-mail: rosa.devincenzo{at}unicatt.it.

Abstract

Objective Cervical cancer is the most common gynecological cancer occurring in pregnancy, creating a complex situation both for patient and physician. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is an innovative way of managing cervical cancer in pregnancy.

Methods In our paper, we report a retrospective case series of 4 women treated with chemotherapy for invasive cervical cancer during pregnancy in our center over the last 5 years, and we summarize the available literature and guidelines.

Results All the cases were locally advanced cervical cancers that received chemotherapy with platinum and/or taxanes. All patients showed a good response to chemotherapy and a radical surgery was performed with no additional morbidities at the cesarean delivery time in 3 of 4 cases. Three of 4 patients are alive and have a good outcome with no recurrence of disease up to date. One patient died because of recurrent disease 2 years after the first-line treatment during pregnancy. All babies are alive and well up to date (maximum follow-up, 63 months).

Conclusions Even if there are no standardized practices in the treatment of cervical cancer in pregnancy, in our opinion, neoadjuvant chemotherapy can be a very useful strategy for patients and physicians facing the challenge.

  • Locally advanced cervical cancer
  • Pregnancy
  • Neoadjuvant chemotherapy

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Footnotes

  • The authors declare no conflicts of interest.