Endocrine oncology in pregnancy

Pheochromocytoma in Pregnancy: A Syndromic Association

Introduction

Pheochromocytoma during pregnancy is a rare cause of secondary hypertension with lethal consequences to both mother and fetus. As patients are young, the possibility of syndromic associations like MEN-2, VHL, NF-1, etc., needs to be considered.

Methodology

Three primigravida were diagnosed before the 20th week of gestation when they presented with classical triad of pheochromocytoma.

Results

Diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was confirmed by 24 h urinary metanephrine/normetanephrine or epinephrine/norepinephrine levels. Non-contrast MRI abdomen could localize the tumor. One patient had medullary thyroid carcinoma with hyperparathyroidism, indicative of MEN-2A. Another patient had brain stem hemangioblastoma, pancreatic cysts and family history of spinal hemangioblastoma, so diagnosed to have Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome. Whereas, the third patient had sporadic pheochromocytoma. Preoperatively, they required antihypertensive medications including prazosin and metoprolol. They underwent laparoscopic/open adrenalectomy between 19th and 21st week of gestation without complication. Histopathology in all the three patients revealed low-grade pheochromocytoma by pheochromocytoma of the adrenal gland scaled score. None required antihypertensive medications after surgery. All the three newborns were small for gestational age, while one neonate expired due to intra-cardiac rhabdomyoma. So, the timely evaluation and surgical intervention for pheochromocytoma avoid lethal consequences.

Conclusions

Pregnancy leads to unmasking of pheochromocytoma as it is physiological stress. The syndromic association is more frequent as the population is younger. A poor fetal outcome like IUGR can be explained by endovascular changes in uterine vessel or due to the associated manifestations of MEN-2A, VHL syndromes. Family members should be screened for associated syndromic feature.

Pheochromocytoma diagnosed during pregnancy: lessons learned from a series of ten patients

BACKGROUND

Pheochromocytoma (PHEO) in pregnancy is a life-threatening condition. Its management is challenging with regards to the timing and type of surgery.

METHODS

A retrospective review of the management of ten patients diagnosed with pheochromocytoma during pregnancy was performed. Data were collected on the initial diagnostic workup, symptoms, treatment, and follow-up.

RESULTS

PHEO was diagnosed in ten patients who were between the 10th and the 29th weeks of pregnancy. Six patients had none to mild symptoms, while four had complications of paroxysmal hypertension. Imaging investigations consisted of MRI, CT scan and ultrasounds. All had urinary metanephrines, measured as part of their workup. Three patients had MEN 2A, one VHL syndrome, one suspected SDH mutation. All patients were treated either with α/β blockers or calcium channel blockers to stabilize their clinical conditions. Seven patients underwent a laparoscopic adrenalectomy before delivery. Three out of these seven patients had a bilateral PHEO and underwent a unilateral adrenalectomy of the larger tumor during pregnancy, followed by a planned cesarean section and a subsequent contralateral adrenalectomy within a few months after delivery. Three patients had emergency surgery for maternal or fetal complications, with C-section followed by concomitant or delayed adrenalectomy. All newborns from the group of planned surgery were healthy, while two out three newborns within the emergency surgery group died shortly after delivery secondary to cardiac and pulmonary complications.

CONCLUSIONS

PHEO in pregnancy is a rare condition. Maternal and fetal prognosis improved over the last decades, but still lethal consequences may be present if misdiagnosed or mistreated. A thorough multidisciplinary team approach should be tailored on an individual basis to better manage the pathology. Unilateral adrenalectomy in a pregnant patient with bilateral PHEO may be an option to avoid the risk of adrenal insufficiency after bilateral adrenalectomy.

A review on thyroid cancer during pregnancy: Multitasking is required

Thyroid cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed during pregnancy after breast cancer. The goal of management is to control malignancy and prevent maternal and fetal complications as a result of maternal hypothyroidism. The role of female sex hormones as an etiologic factor was investigated, with no clear association. Pregnancy can cause an increase in size of a previously existed thyroid nodule through the structural similarity between TSH and BHCG, and the normally expressed estrogen receptors on thyroid gland cells. Effect of pregnancy on development and prognosis of differentiated thyroid malignancies (papillary and follicular) has also been studied. The prognosis of thyroid cancer is not worse in patients diagnosed during pregnancy or those who got pregnant after curative treatment. Termination of pregnancy is not indicated at all, surgery can be delayed till after delivery except in rapidly growing aggressive tumors. While radioactive iodine ablation is absolutely contra-indicated, the new systemic therapies are not well studied during pregnancy. However, almost all these new agents are classified as FDA category C or D and are better to be avoided. The effect of pregnancy on other types of thyroid cancer (medullary and anaplastic thyroid tumors) is not well studied because of very low incidence with pregnancy. The endocrinological management of thyroid cancer during pregnancy is of utmost importance. The hypothyroidism after total thyroidectomy can cause fetal hypothyroidism. Therefore, the management of thyroid cancer related to pregnancy needs a multidisciplinary team.

MANAGEMENT OF CATECHOLAMINE-SECRETING TUMORS IN PREGNANCY: A REVIEW

OBJECTIVE

Catecholamine-secreting tumors (pheochromocytomas and paragangliomas) presenting during pregnancy are extremely rare, but they can be fatal to both mother and fetus. Recent discoveries in the genetic background of these tumors are expected to address an increasing number of at-risk women to prenatal diagnosis.

METHODS

The literature was reviewed in order to provide clinicians with a practical and updated guide on how to manage this life-threatening condition.

RESULTS

The clinical presentation of catecholamine-secreting tumors can be deceptive and mimic common disorders of pregnancy. Silent catecholamine-secreting tumors can become evident during pregnancy, and hypertension cannot be considered a hallmark for this condition: some women may be normotensive or develop orthostatic hypotension. Biochemical screening includes measurement of plasma free metanephrines or urinary fractioned metanephrines. Measurement of catecholamines, dopamine, and methoxytyramine can provide further information on tumor biology, location, and prognosis. Diagnostic imaging is limited, and medical treatment requires a cautious balance between hemodynamic control and effects on the fetoplacental unit. Several genes have been associated with syndromes including catecholamine-secreting tumors, and positive genetic testing can correlate with tumor behavior. Timing and modalities for tumor removal and delivery, including anesthetic management, depend on gestational age, maternal and fetal wellbeing, control of catecholamine excess, suspicion of multiple or malignant disease, and surgical accessibility to the tumor.

CONCLUSION

A timely diagnosis and a multidisciplinary approach are the keys to improve pregnancy outcomes in patients with a catecholamine-secreting tumor; each case should be managed in a tertiary referral center.

Pregnancy and vascular liver disease

Vascular disorders of the liver frequently affect women of childbearing age. Pregnancy and the postpartum are prothrombotic states. Pregnancy seems to be a trigger for Budd-Chiari syndrome in patients with an underlying prothrombotic disorder. Whether pregnancy is a risk factor for other vascular liver disorders is unknown. In women with a known vascular liver disorder and a desire for pregnancy, stabilisation of the liver disease, including the use of a portal decompressive procedure when indicated, should be reached prior to conception. The presence of esophageal varices should be screened and adequate prophylaxis of bleeding applied in a manner similar to what is recommended for patients with cirrhosis. Most women likely benefit from anticoagulation during pregnancy and the postpartum. Labor and delivery are best managed by a multidisciplinary team with experience in this situation. Assisted vaginal delivery is the preferred mode of delivery. Although the risk of miscarriage and premature birth is heightened, current management of these diseases makes it very likely to see the birth of a live baby when pregnancy reaches 20 weeks of gestation.