Cervical cancer complicating pregnancy: Implications of laparoscopic lymphadenectomy

Cervical Cancer Associated with Pregnancy: Current Challenges and Future Strategies

Cancer during pregnancy is defined as a tumor diagnosed in a pregnant woman or up to 1-year post-partum. While being a rare disease, cervical cancer is probably one of the most challenging medical conditions, with the dual stake of treating the cancer without compromising its chances for cure, while preserving the pregnancy and the health of the fetus and child. To date, guidelines for gynecological cancers are provided through international consensus meetings with expert panels, giving insights on both diagnosis, treatment, and obstetrical care. However, these expert guidelines do not discuss the various approaches than can be found within the literature, such as alternative staging modalities or innovative surgical approaches. Also, the obstetrical care of women diagnosed with cervical cancer during pregnancy requires specific considerations that are not provided within our current standard of care. This systematic review aims to fill the gap on current issues with regards to the management of cervical cancer during pregnancy and provide future directions within this evolving landscape.

Successful pregnancy with stage IB2 uterine cervical cancer: A case report

Background

Although cervical cancer is one of the most common malignancies in pregnancy, its management mainly follows the guidelines for nonpregnant disease state. Within the limited time, patients, and healthcare workers must make difficult decisions to either delay treatment until documented fetal maturity or start immediate treatment based on the disease stage.

Case

The patient was a 37‐year‐old woman: gravida 1, para 0. Her cervical cytology revealed a high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion at 8 weeks' gestation. Moreover, invasive squamous cell carcinoma was suspected based on the findings of uterine cervix biopsy. Cervical conization was performed at 11 weeks' gestation, confirming a histopathological diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma, pT1b2. Cervical cytology findings continued to be negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy from 2 weeks after conization until 2 weeks before a cesarean section. In addition, we performed abdominal pelvic lymphadenectomy at 16 weeks' gestation to determine whether the patient could continue her pregnancy. No lymph node metastasis or local recurrence was observed. Finally, a cesarean section and modified radical hysterectomy were performed at 35 weeks' gestation. There was no carcinoma invasion or metastasis. A baby girl weighing 2056 g was delivered with 1‐ and 5‐min Apgar scores of 8 and 9, respectively. Five years postoperatively, there was no evidence of cancer recurrence.

Conclusion

Management of cervical cancer during pregnancy by using a combination strategy of deep conization and pelvic lymphadenectomy could be an effective strategy for carefully and safely assessing risks of recurrence and metastasis.

British Gynaecological Cancer Society (BGCS) cervical cancer guidelines: Recommendations for practice

Cervix cancer in many countries is declining and screening programmes and immunisation will reduce the incidence in the next few decades. This guideline attempts to cover management of invasive disease reflecting diagnosis and imaging including new imaging and sentinel lymph node biopsies. Smaller volume disease is usually managed surgically whereas advanced disease is treated with (chemo)- radiation. It also includes discussion of fertility sparing procedures. Practices are changing frequently for all aspects of care usually in attempts to reduce complications and improve quality of life. The management of advanced disease is treated by chemotherapy and the use of newer agents is also discussed. Other sections discuss specialist situations such as cancer in pregnancy, rare cervical tumours, late effects and supportive measures and fertility preserving approaches.

Gynecologic cancer in pregnancy

Cancer complicates 1 in 1000 pregnancies. Multidisciplinary consensus comprised of Gynecologic Oncology, Pathology, Neonatology, Radiology, Anesthesiology, Maternal Fetal Medicine, and Social Work should be convened. Pregnancy provides an opportunity for cervical cancer screening, with deliberate delays in treatment permissible for early stage carcinoma. Vaginal delivery is contraindicated in the presence of gross lesion(s) and radical hysterectomy with lymphadenectomy at cesarean delivery is recommended. Women with locally advanced and metastatic/recurrent disease should commence treatment at diagnosis with chemoradiation and systemic therapy, respectively; neoadjuvant chemotherapy to permit gestational advancement may be considered in select cases. Most adnexal masses are benign and resolve by the second trimester. Persistent, asymptomatic, benign-appearing masses can be managed conservatively; surgery, if indicated, is best deferred to 15-20 weeks, with laparoscopy preferable over laparotomy whenever possible. Benign and malignant germ cell tumors and borderline tumors are occasionally encountered, with unilateral adnexectomy and preservation of the uterus and contralateral ovary being the rule. Epithelial ovarian cancer is exceedingly rare. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging lack ionizing radiation and can be employed to evaluate disease extent. Tumor markers, including CA-125, AFP, LDH, inhibin-B, and even CEA and ßhCG may be informative. If required, chemotherapy can be administered following organogenesis during the second and third trimesters. Because platinum and other anti-neoplastic agents cross the placenta, chemotherapy should be withheld after 34 weeks to avoid neonatal myelosuppression. Bevacizumab, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and PARP inhibitors should be avoided throughout pregnancy. Although antenatal glucocorticoids to facilitate fetal pulmonary maturation and amniotic fluid index assessment can be considered, there is no demonstrable benefit of tocolytics, antepartum fetal heart rate monitoring, and/or amniocentesis. Endometrial, vulvar, and vaginal cancer in pregnancy are curiosities, although leiomyosarcoma and the dreaded twin fetus/hydatidiform mole have been reported. For gynecologic malignancies, pregnancy does not impart aggressive clinical behavior and/or worse prognosis.

Expression of BDNF, TrkB, VEGF and CD105 is associated with pelvic lymph node metastasis and prognosis in IB2-stage squamous cell carcinoma

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and CD105 are highly expressed in several types of cancer. The present study aimed to determine whether BDNF, TrkB, VEGF and CD105 are associated with the prognosis and metastasis of patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) at the IB2 stage. A total of 79 patients with IB2-stage SCC were enrolled in the present study. The expression levels of BDNF, TrkB, VEGF and CD105 in IB2-stage cervical cancer tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry and their association with clinicopathological indexes or prognostic factors was statistically analyzed. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR was used to detect whether the expression of VEGF was affected in SiHa cells co-cultured with BDNF. In addition, BDNF-induced SiHa cell migration and invasion were examined. BDNF expression in the cervical cancer samples was significantly associated with positive lymphovascular space invasion (P<0.001) and pelvic lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). In addition, microvessel density was verified as an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (P<0.05). In vitro analysis indicated that BDNF significantly induced cellular migration and invasion of SiHa cells in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.001). BDNF induced the expression of VEGF in SiHa cells, which was inhibited by BDNF antibodies or an inhibitor of TrkB receptor (P<0.05). BDNF may be considered a useful indicator of pelvic metastasis, which is involved in the aggressive spread of IB2-stage SCC. BDNF-induced upregulation of VEGF was revealed to act as a pro-angiogenic factor in SCC (Trial registration no. http://apps.who.int/trialsearch/; ChiCTR1800017778).

Abdominal Radical Trachelectomy for Early-Stage Cervical Cancer During Pregnancy: A Provocative Surgical Approach. Overview of the Literature and a Single-Institute Experience

OBJECTIVE

Treatment of pregnancy complication due to malignancy of the cervix constitutes a great clinical challenge between optimal maternal therapy and fetal viability. Radical trachelectomy in early-stage cervical cancer during pregnancy instead of radical hysterectomy presents an alternative approach that can offer a satisfactory outcome for the mother and fetus.

MATERIALS AND METHODS-RESULTS

A literature search of articles in English has been performed. Until now, 28 women with cervical cancer, including 2 who were managed and treated in our institute, who underwent a radical trachelectomy during pregnancy have been reported. We overviewed a total of 13 abdominal trachelectomies, 13 vaginal trachelectomies, and 2 laparoscopic trachelectomies.

CONCLUSIONS

Radical trachelectomy can widen the therapeutic approach of early-stage cervical cancer in pregnant women who wish to preserve their pregnancy, providing a possibility of receiving the proper treatment with no delay.

Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery in the pregnant patient: considerations, techniques, and postoperative management per trimester

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Nonobstetric surgery is performed in 1 : 200 to 1 : 500 of pregnant women in the United States annually. Previously, many argued that laparoscopy was contraindicated during pregnancy because of concerns for uterine injury and fetal malperfusion. Because surgeons have gained more experience with laparoscopy, it has become the preferred treatment modality for many surgical diseases in the gravid patient.

RECENT FINDINGS

Specific preoperative considerations, intraoperative techniques, and postoperative management per trimester will be reviewed to optimize patient and surgical outcomes.

SUMMARY

The advantages of laparoscopic surgery are similar for pregnant and nonpregnant women. Surgery during pregnancy should minimize risks to both the fetus and the mother. Whenever a pregnant woman undergoes nonobstetric surgery, consultations among her surgical team are important to coordinate management. Both anatomic and physiologic changes related to pregnancy may require modifications in management. Surgeons must be aware of considerations, techniques, and postoperative management used for pregnant patients to optimize outcomes for both the fetus and mother.

Simple trachelectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy as a viable treatment option in pregnant patients with stage IB1 (≥2 cm) cervical cancer: Bridging the gap to fetal viability

OBJECTIVE

Cervical cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in pregnancy. This study aims to evaluate simple trachelectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy in patients with stage IB1 (≥2 cm) cervical cancer wishing to maintain their pregnancy.

METHODS

We included patients with stage IB1 (≥2 cm) cervical cancer who underwent simple trachelectomy and minimally invasive pelvic lymphadenectomy during pregnancy from January 2004 to August 2016. Data analysis included demographics, perioperative, obstetrics, and oncologic outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 5 patients were included. Median age was 30 years (range; 26-38). Median gestational age (GA) at diagnosis was 12 weeks (range; 7-18) and at treatment intervention 16.5 weeks (range; 12-19). Histologic subtypes included: adenocarcinoma (3 patients) and squamous cell carcinoma (2 patients). Median tumor size by clinical exam was 27 mm (range; 20-40), grade 2 (range; 2-3) and depth of invasion 10 mm (range; 1.5-12). All patients underwent laparoscopic (1) or robotic (4) pelvic lymphadenectomy followed by vaginal simple trachelectomy. Median operative time was 193 min (range; 155-259), estimated blood loss 100 ml (range; 50-550) and length of stay 2 days (range; 1-3). There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications (<30 days). Median number of lymph nodes removed was 14 (range; 5-15). One patient had bilateral microscopic positive nodes. The median gestational age at delivery was 39 weeks (range; 28-40.6). After median follow-up of 75 months (range; 18-168), all patients are alive without disease.

CONCLUSION

Simple trachelectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection may be a safe option in pregnant patients with stage IB1 (>2 cm) cervical cancer wishing to maintain their pregnancy.

Gynecologic Malignancies in Pregnancy: Balancing Fetal Risks With Oncologic Safety

Importance

Cancer occurs in 0.05% to 0.1% of all pregnancies. Despite literature reporting good oncologic and fetal outcomes in women treated for cancer during pregnancy, as many as 44% of gynecologists would offer termination, and 37% would not administer chemotherapy or radiotherapy in pregnancy.

Objectives

The aims of this study were to summarize current recommendations for the treatment of cervical and ovarian cancers in pregnancy and to review updates on existing knowledge regarding the safety of surgical and chemotherapeutic treatments in pregnancy, including both oncologic and fetal outcomes.

Evidence Acquisition

A detailed literature review was performed on PubMed.

Results

The treatment of gynecologic malignancies during pregnancy mirrors that outside pregnancy, with a balance between maternal versus fetal health. Fertility-sparing surgery can be offered to stage IA2 and low-risk IB1 cervical, stage I epithelial ovarian, germ cell ovarian, or sex-cord stromal ovarian tumors. Delayed treatment can be offered for stage IB1 cervical cancer. Neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant chemotherapy can be given for advanced gynecologic cancers with good disease-free survival without significant adverse neonatal outcomes.

Conclusions

A multidisciplinary approach and improved education of providers regarding the surgical and chemotherapeutic treatments in pregnancy are needed in order to fully inform patients regarding treatment options. Further research in women who are pregnant is needed to determine the safety of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures used in the nonpregnant woman.

Relevance

This article reviews and supports treatment of gynecologic cancer during pregnancy, calls for additional study and long-term follow-up, and justifies improved education of patients and providers regarding treatment options.

Target Audience

Obstetricians and gynecologists, family physicians.

Learning Objectives

After completing this activity, the learner should be better able to (1) review general principles in the management and treatment of gynecologic cancers in pregnancy, (2) review the diagnosis and treatment of cervical cancer in pregnancy, and (3) review the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer in pregnancy.

Abdominal Radical Trachelectomy Performed During Pregnancy — Case Series

Introduction:Abdominal radical trachelectomy (ART) for tumors of the uterine cervix can be performed while the pregnancy is ongoing, but the success rates so far are reduced.

Case series presentation:ART was performed in three patients with cervical cancer diagnosed during pregnancy, with a triple aim to offer a radical surgery for cervical cancer, but also to preserve the ongoing pregnancy and fertility. The ART was successful in one patient, and she delivered a healthy baby at term, by cesarean section. The other 2 patients experienced obstetrical complications and lost their pregnancies after ART, but in one of the cases, fertility was preserved.

Conclusions:Radical trachelectomy could be performed as alternative therapy for pregnant women with invasive malignancies of the cervix. This procedure may prevent female patients to lose a much-desired pregnancy, their fertility, as well as their maternity.

Treatment of gynecological cancers diagnosed during pregnancy

Because of a notable increase in age at delivery, the incidence of malignancy diagnosed during pregnancy has substantially increased. This review aims to summarize the literature and expert knowledge on gynecologic cancers diagnosed in pregnancy regarding epidemiology, examination and staging procedures, description of treatment modalities and management of gynecological malignancies with special interest in cervical and ovarian cancer. Thorough attention is paid to the surgery and chemotherapy administration for early-stage cervical cancer diagnosed during pregnancy.

Radical Trachelectomy Performed During Pregnancy: A Review of the Literature

Objective

Cervical cancer is one of the most frequent malignant diseases diagnosed during pregnancy. Abdominal or vaginal radical trachelectomies are fertility-preserving alternatives to radical hysterectomy for young women with early-stage cervical cancer that can be performed during ongoing pregnancy.

Methods

A literature review of articles on this subject was conducted through a Medline search for articles published in English or French.

Results

At this moment, 21 cervical cancer patients, including ours (4 stage IA2, 16 IB1, and 1 IB2) who underwent radical trachelectomy during pregnancy have been reported. Of these, 10 were performed by vaginal route and 11 were abdominal radical trachelectomies.

Conclusions

Radical trachelectomy could be offered as an option for pregnant patients with early invasive cervical cancer. It may help women avoid the triple losses of a desired pregnancy, fertility, and motherhood.

Treatment and prognosis of cervical cancer associated with pregnancy: analysis of 20 cases from a Chinese tumor institution

This study was designed to investigate the therapeutic approaches and prognosis for cervical cancer associated with pregnancy. Clinical information, therapeutic strategies, and follow-up results of 20 patients with cervical cancer associated with pregnancy from Jan. 2000 to June 2009 in the Zhejiang Cancer Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages were: in situ (n=1), stage IA1 (n=1), stage IB1 (n=5), stage IB2 (n=1), stage IIA (n=8), stage IIB (n=3), and stage IIIB (n=1). Eight patients were in the first trimester of pregnancy, four in the second, two in the third, and six at postpartum when diagnosed. The therapeutic strategies were either single or combined modalities, including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Fourteen patients survived, five patients died (four of remote metastasis and one of uremia), and one patient was lost to follow-up. One newborn from a patient at stage IIA carcinoma in the third trimester with postponed therapy six weeks after diagnosis survived. Retarded fetal growth was observed in one patient receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy and cesarean section. Out of the six postpartum patients, three underwent cesarean section and survived, whereas only one out of the three who underwent vaginal delivery survived. The remaining two died of remote metastasis. Therefore, personalized treatment is necessary for cervical cancer associated with pregnancy. Cervical cancer patients in the third trimester of pregnancy can continue the pregnancy for a short period of time. There may be potential risk for the fetus by chemotherapy during pregnancy. Cesarean section is the preferred mode of delivery for pregnant cervical cancer patients.

Management of cervical cancer during pregnancy

Cervical cancer (CC) is the most common gynaecological cancer during pregnancy. The rarity of the disease and lack of randomised control studies have prevented the establishment of treatment guidelines. The management of CC mainly follows the guidelines for the non-pregnant disease state, expert opinions and limited case reports. Although the management of CC diagnosed during pregnancy appears to be a significant dilemma for the patients and specialists, the prognosis of CC is not influenced by pregnancy. The treatment decision should be made collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team consisting of an obstetrician, gynaecologist, oncologist and paediatrician. The concerns of the patient should be taken into account.

Radical Abdominal Trachelectomy for IB1 Cervical Cancer at 17 Weeks of Gestation: A Case Report and Literature Review

Background. With regard to the therapy for early invasive cervical carcinoma during pregnancy, radical trachelectomy is also a treatment of choice, along with its advantages and disadvantages. Case Report. A 28-year-old woman, para 1-0-0-1, was diagnosed with FIGO stage IB1 squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix at 12 weeks of gestation. The patient underwent radical abdominal trachelectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy at 17 weeks of gestation. Her pregnancy was successfully maintained after the surgery. The patient underwent a planned cesarean section at 38 weeks of gestation. A healthy baby girl weighing 2970 g was born with an Apgar score of 8/9. The mother and child in overall good health were discharged. Ten months after the delivery, there was no clinical evidence of recurrence. Conclusions. We believe that it is appropriate to perform radical abdominal trachelectomy in the early second trimester with preserving uterine arteries, although it is a technically challenging approach. It may be possible that radical abdominal trachelectomy during pregnancy can help women avoid the triple losses of a desired pregnancy, fertility, and motherhood.

Laparoscopic Pelvic Lymphadenectomy in 32 Pregnant Patients With Cervical Cancer: Rationale, Description of the Technique, and Outcome

Objective

Individualized treatment of pregnant patients with cervical cancer is mandatory; hence, information on nodal status is pivotal to allow a waiting strategy in early-stage disease.

We aimed to verify the oncological safety and surgical reproducibility of a standardized laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy in pregnant patients with cervical cancer.

Methods

We standardized laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy during the first and second term of gestation in 32 patients with cervical cancer since 1999. According to gestational week (GW) of less than 16 GWs or more than 16 GWs, 2 different techniques were used.

Results

The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stages were IA in 10 patients, IB1 in 17 patients, IB2 in 4 patients, and IIA in 1 patient. Mean (SD) GW was 17.5 (5.1) weeks. Mean (SD) operative time was 105.4 (29) minutes. Mean (SD) blood loss was 5.3 (10.2) mL. There were no conversion to laparotomy and no intraoperative complications. A median number of 14 pelvic lymph nodes (range, 8–57) were harvested. Median hospital stay was 6 days. Median follow-up is 42.5 months (range, 17–164). Four patients had lymph node metastases. Five patients interrupted their pregnancy. Fourteen patients were given neoadjuvant platin-based systemic therapy. All patients are alive and disease free. All children born through cesarean delivery at a mean (SD) 34 (1.9) GWs are well and show normal clinical neurological development.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest series so far reported on laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy during pregnancy. This procedure is safe and associated with good oncological and obstetrical outcomes.

Cervical cancer screening in pregnancy

Cervical cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy during pregnancy with an incidence of 1.5 to 12 per 100,000 pregnancies. In the United States between 2% and 7% of all pregnant women will have an abnormal Pap test. The management of these abnormal results during pregnancy can present a challenge to the practitioner. This article reviews recently published guidelines and current evidence for evaluation and management of abnormal cervical cytology and cervical cancer in pregnancy.

Robotic surgical staging for cervical cancer diagnosed during pregnancy: Immediate versus delayed definitive treatment

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Definitive treatment of cervical cancer in pregnancy poses a dilemma for patients desiring to continue gestation.

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Robotic surgical staging of cervical cancer diagnosed during pregnancy is feasible.

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Robotic surgical staging improves the prognostic assessment for pregnant patients when making a decision between immediate versus delayed treatment.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Followed by Cesarean Radical Hysterectomy in a Triplet Pregnancy Complicated by Clear Cell Carcinoma of the Cervix: A Case Presentation and Literature Review

Objective

To report a triplet pregnancy complicated by clear cell cervical carcinoma that was managed using neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by caesarean radical hysterectomy.

Patient History

A 26-year-old woman had a diagnosis of cervical clear cell carcinoma, which was International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IB1, at 18 weeks of gestation during a triplet pregnancy. Owing to the patient’s strong desire for full-term pregnancy, 3 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy was administered after magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of the tumor. The patient underwent cesarean delivery and radical hysterectomy at gestational week 32. The hysterectomy specimen revealed stage IB1 clear cell adenocarcinoma of the cervix. The neonates and the mother did not have any complications related to the treatment during 36 months of follow-up.

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a triplet pregnancy complicated by cervical clear cell carcinoma that was successfully treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and cesarean radical hysterectomy. Our experience and literature review suggest that neoadjuvant chemotherapy for cervical carcinoma diagnosed during pregnancy is associated with excellent oncologic and fetal outcome; therefore, it may be considered as a temporary fertility-sparing approach in selected patients with a strong desire for full-term pregnancy. Nonetheless, additional research and long-term follow-up are needed to reach a more definitive conclusion.

Gynaecological cancers in pregnancy

Cervical and ovarian cancers are the most common gynaecological cancers diagnosed during pregnancy. In early-stage cervical cancer during the first and at the beginning of the second trimester, the two main considerations for management of the patient are the tumour size (and stage) and nodal staging. MRI and laparoscopic lymphadenectomy are useful for clinicians planning a potentially conservative approach. The management of patients with locally advanced cervical disease is controversial and should be discussed on a case-by-case basis according to the tumour size, radiological findings, the term of pregnancy, and the patient's wishes. Different histological types of malignant ovarian diseases arise during pregnancy and their management depends on the diagnosis (histological subtypes, tumour differentiation, and nodal status), the tumour stage, and the trimester of the pregnancy. In patients with peritoneal spread or high-risk early-stage disease, neoadjuvant chemotherapy with pregnancy preservation could be appropriate.

Gynaecological cancer in pregnancy

Cancer in pregnancy, fortunately, is uncommon. This is even more so for gynaecological cancer. Fertility preservation in gynaecological cancer is already a difficult issue, as the common gynaecological cancers affect organs intimately associated with conception and delivery. The presence of a viable pregnancy with gynaecological cancer presents tremendous challenges to the clinician, especially if the woman wants to conserve both her pregnancy and fertility. In this chapter, we address issues involved in such circumstances and suggest management decisions.

[Management of pregnant women with advanced cervical cancer: About five cases observed in Lille from 2002 till 2009. Evaluation of practices referring to the new French recommendations of 2008]

PURPOSE

An update on the management of invasive cervical cancer (from stage IB) diagnosed during pregnancy with reference to the recent French guidelines.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed patients for whom invasive cervical cancer was diagnosed during pregnancy and managed jointly by Jeanne-de-Flandres and Roubaix maternity and by Oscar-Lambret cancer center between 2002 and 2009.

RESULTS

Five patients were included: four stage IB1, and one stage IB2. Five pregnancies resulted in the birth of six alive children. Three patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy during pregnancy. One patient had a laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy in first trimester. Two laparoscopic extraperitoneal paraortic lymphadenectomy have been made. The mean time of survey is 47.5 months (12-94 months). One patient died of her cancer.

CONCLUSION

The diagnosis of cervical cancer during pregnancy involves the same therapeutic guidelines in the absence of pregnancy. The laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy (up to 20 to 24 weeks of gestation) is crucial in the therapeutic treatment for tumors less than 4cm. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is used during pregnancy for patients refusing medical termination of pregnancy.

Simple trachelectomy of early invasive cervix carcinoma in the second trimester

Although cervical carcinoma is among the most frequently encountered malignancies during pregnancy only a small number of cases during pregnancy have been reported. Usually, the patients have been treated by radical trachelectomy with or without chemotherapy during the pregnancy. Laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection with frozen section, simple trachelectomy and cerclage were performed in the 22(nd) week of pregnancy. The histologic examination confirmed a squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix of 35mm diameter, lymphangioinvasion (L1), low grade, clear surgical margin, negative pelvic lymph nodes according to stage Figo IB. Adjuvant chemotherapy with three cycles of cisplatin was performed after surgery. Delivery was performed by cesarean section followed by radical hysterectomy in the the 32(nd) week of pregnancy. Recurrent adjuvant chemotherapy with three cycles of cisplatin and local vaginal iridium radiation were performed after surgery. Patient had no surgery related complications. No relapse of cancer has been diagnosed during the following 16 months. Simple trachelectomy may be alternative treatment option to radical trachelectomy for pregnant women with early stage cervical cancer without lymph node metastasis.

Addressing concerns about cisplatin application during pregnancy

INTRODUCTION

Cervical cancer in second trimester of pregnancy is an oncologic challenge. Cisplatin is recommended to prevent cancer progression. This is a series correlating in vivo cisplatin concentration in the fetomaternal compartment and in breast milk with child development.

METHODS

Eight consecutive patients with cervical cancer diagnosed during the second trimester underwent conization/biopsy and/or pelvic laparoscopic lymphadenectomy (LAE). Delay of pregnancy in combination with neoadjuvant monochemotherapy was performed. After 2-4 cycles of cisplatin monochemotherapy cesarean section followed by radical hysterectomy was performed above 31 weeks of gestation. Synchronous samples from maternal blood, umbilical cord blood, and amniotic fluid were taken and analyzed. A probe of breast milk was taken from three patients. Pediatric aftercare was done every three months postpartum.

RESULTS

Laparoscopic LAE was uncomplicated in all patients. In seven out of eight patients lymph nodes were tumor free. Nine healthy babies were delivered. Pediatric follow-up showed normal development. Cisplatin concentrations in the umbilical cord and amniotic fluid were 31-65% and 13-42% of the amount in maternal blood, respectively. In breast milk, cisplatin was detectable in 1-10% of maternal blood concentration.

CONCLUSION

Knowledge of significant lower cisplatin concentrations in fetal compartment and normal child growth provides additional security to apply cisplatin in pregnancy. Breastfeeding cannot be recommended.

French Recommendations on the Management of Invasive Cervical Cancer During Pregnancy

Background:

Cervical cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers during pregnancy, but the management of such cases remains unclear. A Working Group was set up in 2007 in France to propose national recommendations for the management of pregnant patients with invasive cervical carcinoma.

Methods:

The recommendations are based on this literature review conducted by the members of the Working Group.

Results:

Management of cervical cancer during pregnancy depends on 5 factors: stage of the disease (and the tumor size), nodal status, histological subtype of the tumor, term of the pregnancy, and whether the patient wishes to continue her pregnancy. In patients with early-stage disease diagnosed during the first 2 trimesters of pregnancy, there is an increasing tendency to preserve the pregnancy while awaiting fetal maturity in patients with absence of nodal involvement. The delivery (when the fetal maturity is attained) should be then performed using a cesarean section.

Conclusions:

This article proposes recommendations for the management of pregnant patients with invasive cervical cancer. These recommendations have been validated by the 3 main scientific societies of gynecologic oncology, pelvic surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology in France.

Current world literature

This bibliography is compiled by clinicians from the journals listed at the end of this publication. It is based on literature entered into our database between 1 February 2008 and 31 January 2009 (articles are generally added to the database about two and a half months after publication). In addition, the bibliography contains every paper annotated by reviewers; these references were obtained from a variety of bibliographic databases and published between the beginning of the review period and the time of going to press. The bibliography has been grouped into topics that relate to the reviews in this issue.