Locally advanced cervical cancer complicating pregnancy: A case of competing risks from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome

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.

Cancer and Pregnancy in the Post-Roe v. Wade Era: A Comprehensive Review

Cancer during pregnancy, affecting 1 in 1000 pregnancies, is rising in incidence due to delayed childbearing and improved detection. Common types include breast cancer, melanoma and cervical cancer and Hodgkin's Lymphoma. There are several physiological changes that occur during pregnancy that make its management a challenge to clinicians. Managing it requires multidisciplinary approaches and cautious test interpretation due to overlapping symptoms. To minimize fetal radiation exposure, non-ionizing imaging is preferred, and the interpretation of tumor markers is challenging due to inflammation and pregnancy effects. In terms of treatment, chemotherapy is avoided in the first trimester but may be considered later. Immunotherapy's safety is under investigation, and surgery depends on gestational age and cancer type. Ethical and legal concerns are growing, especially with changes in U.S. abortion laws. Access to abortion for medical reasons is vital for pregnant cancer patients needing urgent treatment. Maternal outcomes may depend on the type of cancer as well as chemotherapy received but, in general, they are similar to the non-pregnant population. Fetal outcomes are usually the same as the general population with treatment exposure from the second trimester onwards. Fertility preservation may be an important component of the treatment discussion depending on the patient's wishes, age and type of treatment. This article addresses the complicated nature of a diagnosis of cancer in pregnancy, touching upon the known medical literature as well as the ethical-legal implications of such a diagnosis, whose importance has increased in the light of recent judicial developments.

Radiofrequency Ablation and Intrauterine Transfusion in a Delayed Diagnosed Acardiac Twin Pregnancy

Twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence or acardiac twin is a rare and severe complication of monochorionic multiple pregnancies. Acardiac twin accounts for 10% of all TRAP sequences, which is the most morphologically developed acardius. We present an undiagnosed TRAP sequence case up to 24 weeks of gestation who underwent successful amnioreduction, radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and intrauterine transfusion (IUT). During follow-up, hydrops of surviving co-twin disappeared, and fetal heart function improved. Finally, a healthy girl weighing 2400 g was born at 36 weeks of gestation. To our knowledge, this is the first reported acardiac twin pregnancy, which requires IUT, in addition to RFA, due to late diagnosis. Therefore, this case report presents successful management options for TRAP sequence cases diagnosed late in pregnancy.

Locally advanced cervical cancer complicating early pregnancy: A case of multiple challenges in a limited-resource setting

Carcinoma of the cervix is the most common malignant tumor associated with pregnancy and still poses a complex management problem. Limited data are available on locally advanced cervical cancer outcomes in the first half of pregnancy and how disadvantaged young women in low- and middle-income countries are. A 34-year-old woman at 17 weeks of gestation was diagnosed with FIGO stage III-C1r cervical cancer. All available treatment options were associated with significant risks. The patient opted for pregnancy termination, followed by chemoradiation. We present the challenges that gynecologists face in low-resource settings in managing locally advanced cervical cancer.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Pregnant Patients with Cervical Cancer: A Monocentric Retrospective Study

Background: To date, little and discordant data still exists on the management of cervical cancer (CC) during pregnancy. In this paper, we report our experience of the treatment of these patients analyzing the oncologic, obstetric, and neonatal outcomes. Methods: Between January 2010 and December 2021, 13 patients were diagnosed with CC during pregnancy. All patients underwent platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and 11/13 patients underwent a cesarean radical hysterectomy (CRH). Results: All 13 patients were diagnosed with squamous-cell carcinoma, FIGO-2018 stage between IB2-IIIC1. The majority of patients had a partial (61.5%) or complete (15.4%) response to NACT. Most patients had a regular course of pregnancy and the obstetric complications observed were gestational diabetes mellitus in 23.1% and IUGR in 15.4% of cases. CRH was performed in the absence of major complications. Only 2 patients (15.4%) had disease recurrence and only 1 patient (7.7%) died of disease. All children are currently healthy. At birth, we observed mainly prematurity-related complications (38.5% respiratory distress syndrome and 7.7% neonatal jaundice) and only a case of congenital malformation (hypospadias). In our pediatric population, we reported a case of malignancy (acute myeloid leukemia). Conclusion: NACT seems to be safe and efficacious in controlling tumor burden during pregnancy. CRH following NACT appears to be feasible, avoiding repeated surgery and treatment delays. This approach is also reasonably safe from a maternal, obstetric, and neonatal point of view.

Diagnosis, Therapy and Follow-up of Cervical Cancer. Guideline of the DGGG, DKG and DKH (S3-Level, AWMF Registry No. 032/033OL, May 2021) – Part 2 with Recommendations on Psycho-oncology, Rehabilitation, Follow-up, Recurrence, Palliative Therapy and Healthcare Facilities

Aim This is an update of the interdisciplinary S3-guideline on the Diagnosis, Therapy and Follow-up of Cervical Cancer (AWMF Registry No. 032/033OL), published in March 2021. The work on the updated guideline was funded by German Cancer Aid (Deutsche Krebshilfe) as part of the German Guideline Program in Oncology. The guideline was coordinated by the German Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe, DGGG) and the Working Group on Gynecological Oncology (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynäkologische Onkologie, AGO) of the German Cancer Society (Deutsche Krebsgesellschaft, DKG).

Method The process used to update the 2014 S3-guideline was based on an appraisal of the available evidence using the criteria of evidence-based medicine, adaptations of existing evidence-based national and international guidelines or – if evidence was lacking – on the consensus of the specialists involved in compiling the update. After an initial review of the current literature was carried out according to a prescribed algorithm, several areas were identified which, in contrast to the predecessor version from September 2014, required new recommendations or statements which would take account of more recently published literature and the recent appraisal of new evidence.

Recommendations The short version of this guideline consists of recommendations and statements on palliative therapy and follow-up of patients with cervical cancer. The most important aspects included in this updated guideline are the new FIGO classification published in 2018, the radical open surgery approach used to treat cervical cancer up to FIGO stage IB1, and the use of the sentinel lymph node technique for tumors ≤ 2 cm. Other changes include the use of PET-CT, new options in radiotherapy (e.g., intensity-modulated radiotherapy, image-guided adaptive brachytherapy), and drug therapies to treat recurrence or metastasis.

Fertility Sparing Treatments in Endometrial Cancer Patients: The Potential Role of the New Molecular Classification

Endometrial cancer is the most frequent gynecological malignancy, and, although epidemiologically it mainly affects advanced age women, it can also affect young patients who want children and who have not yet completed their procreative project. Fertility sparing treatments are the subject of many studies and research in continuous evolution, and represent a light of hope for young cancer patients who find themselves having to face an oncological path before fulfilling their desire for motherhood. The advances in molecular biology and the more precise clinical and prognostic classification of endometrial cancer based on the 2013 The Cancer Genome Atlas classification allow for the selection of patients who can be submitted to fertility sparing treatments with increasing oncological safety. It would also be possible to predict the response to hormonal treatment by investigating the state of the genes of the mismatch repair.

Fertility-Sparing Approach in Women Affected by Stage I and Low-Grade Endometrial Carcinoma: An Updated Overview

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a deleterious condition which strongly affects a woman's quality of life. Although aggressive interventions should be considered to treat high-grade EC, a conservative approach should be taken into consideration for women wishing to conceive. In this scenario, we present an overview about the EC fertility-sparing approach state of art. Type I EC at low stage is the only histological type which can be addressed with a fertility-sparing approach. Moreover, no myometrium and/or adnexal invasion should be seen, and lymph-vascular space should not be involved. Regarding the pharmaceutical target, progestins, in particular medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) or megestrol acetate (MA), are the most employed agent in conservative treatment of early-stage EC. The metformin usage and hysteroscopic assessment is still under debate, despite promising results. Particularly strict and imperious attention should be given to the follow-up and psychological wellbeing of women, especially because of the double detrimental impairment: both EC and EC-related infertility consequences.

A 33-Year-Old Woman in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy Diagnosed with Advanced-Staged Squamous Cell Cervical Carcinoma by Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Biopsy

Patient: Female, 33-year-old

Final Diagnosis: Cervix cancer • squamous cell carcinoma

Symptoms: Cervical mass • lymphadenopathy • vaginal bleeding

Medication: —

Clinical Procedure: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Specialty: Obstetrics and Gynecology

The fetal outcomes after neoadjuvant platinum and paclitaxel chemotherapy during pregnancy: analysis of three cases and review of the literature

OBJECTIVE

Data on the outcomes of fetus who are exposed to neoadjuvant platinum and paclitaxel chemotherapy during pregnancy are lacking.

METHODS

Relevant data were abstracted from patients in our institution, PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases. The primary assessment was the frequency of fetal death and congenital abnormalities. The secondary assessment was other negative fetal/infant outcomes including FGR, RDS, secondary malignant diseases and other recorded adverse events.

RESULTS

Of the three infants in our center who exposed to platinum and paclitaxel chemotherapy during pregnancy, the physical evaluation and qualified Denver Developmental Screening Test showed normal findings at the last follow-up (19-24 months). Hearing evaluation among three children also showed normal findings. Another 34 infants (including a twins) of 21 studies in previous studies who exposed to platinum and paclitaxel chemotherapy during pregnancy were included in the final analysis. Of the 37 infants identified, 24 were exposed to cisplatin plus paclitaxel, and 13 were exposed to carboplatin plus paclitaxel. None of the 37 fetuses was abortion or dead during the pregnancy. 97.3% (36/37) infants were delivered by cesareans and the median gestational ages of delivery were 34.76 weeks (95% CI, 34.08-35.44). 1 fetus showed intrauterine growth restriction and one was found with left-sided ventriculomegaly and hydramnios before chemotherapy. Adverse events occurred in 18.9% (7/37) infants at birth, including two RDS, one hearing loss, one pathological jaundice, one first-degree intraventricular hemorrhage, one erythema, one corresponding to -0.5 standard deviation from average body weight of the same gestational weeks. No reports of neonatal cardiologic abnormalities are reported in these infants after the initiating of chemotherapy. The infant with congenital anomaly died 5 days after birth. During the follow-up, 5.4% (2/37) of the infants were diagnosed with malignant diseases. One retroperitoneal embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma at 5 years old and one acute myeloid leukemia at 22 months of age. 32/37 (86.5%) children were healthy at the end of follow-ups (median 33 months, IQR 15.75-54.25 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed that neoadjuvant platinum and paclitaxel combined chemotherapy was a feasible and safe choice for the management of patients with cervical and ovarian cancer during the second and third trimesters of gestation.

Possible Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets for the Management of Cervical Cancer

Introduction:

Cervical cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the world due to unusual extension of cervical cell. Cervical cancer occurs due to exposure of HPV (Human papillomavirus). According to WHO, it is the 4th most ordinary cancer in women. In 2018, approx 6.6% of population was affected around the world and 570,000 new cases were reported. In low and middle-income countries, 90% of cervical cancer deaths occur.

Methods:

Despite various factors that cause cervical cancer are included exposure to HPV, dysregulation of CASPASE enzyme, elevated expression of IAPs (Inhibitor apoptotic protein), E6 and E7 gene of HPV, inhibition of p53, BAK, p16 upregulation, CDK-inactivation causing cervical cancer, role of VEGF, role of estrogen and its receptor in cervical cancer.

Results:

Cervical cancer can be screened by Pep test. There are various therapies that can be used to treat cervical cancer. As these therapies have various side effects, so the world is moving to herbal formulations to treat cervical cancer.

Conclusion:

In this study, we will discuss cervical cancer, its cause, symptoms, pathophysiology and treatments. Early screening and detection can help in reducing the overall burden of cervical cancer in the near future.

Treatment and clinical outcomes of cervical cancer during pregnancy

Background

This study aims to investigate clinicopathological factors associated with survival rate and treatment of patients with cervical cancer during pregnancy (CCP).

Methods

A total of 92 patients diagnosed CCP were retrospectively reviewed. One patient was from Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University, 5 patients were from Tongji Hospital, and 86 patients were from case reports in the PubMed database from 1961 to 2019. Patients and tumor characteristics were evaluated. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression methods were used to analyze the 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS).

Results

Most patients (73 cases) were stage I according to the 2018 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) standards. Twelve patients (13.04%) terminated pregnancy once diagnosed. These patients were diagnosed at the mean gestational age (GA) of 11±3 weeks, during early pregnancy. For the rest of the patients (80 cases) who continued pregnancy, the mean GA was 35±2 weeks at delivery. There was a significant difference in survival whether the treatment was performed once diagnosed or not. The 5-year DSS was 75% in adenocarcinoma (AC), 68.5% in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and 43.7% in the rare subtype. Among the 38 patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT), one patient suffered from spontaneous abortion, and one baby experienced acute myeloid leukemia (AML) ex-FAB (French-American-British)-M7 subtype and received bone marrow transplantation. Other delivered newborns showed no abnormality or malformation. Cox multi-factorial analysis demonstrated that tumor size (2 cm) was an independent overall survival predictor for CCP patients (P<0.05).

Conclusions

Tumor size was an independent prognostic factor of survival in CCP patients. Pregnancy has adverse effects on the prognosis of cervical cancer. Personalized treatment is a priority for CCP patients.

Efficacy of neoadjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy during the second and third trimester of pregnancy in women with cervical cancer: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy during pregnancy in women with cervical cancer.

Methods

The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were fully searched to find eligible studies regarding platinum use during pregnancy in women with cervical cancer from January 1980 to September 2018. Data were extracted from the selected studies independently by two authors. Descriptive statistics were calculated for categorical data (frequency and percentage) and numeration data (mean and SD for normally distributed data and median and range for abnormally distributed data). Survival analyses were performed using Kaplan–Meier survival curves and log-rank tests to estimate overall survival and progression-free survival for all patients.

Results

A total of 39 studies including 88 cervical cancer patients with platinum administration during pregnancy were selected in this meta-analysis, and 64 women provided International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage information. Among the latter, 56 of 64 (87.5%) were diagnosed with early stages (I and IIA) and the remaining 8 of 64 (12.5%) had advanced stages (IIB, III, and IV). In relation to cisplatin, 86 pregnant women were identified, whereas only 2 pregnant women with carboplatin application were retrieved. Overall, 88 newborns were delivered from 84 pregnancies, including two sets of twins and one set of triplets, among which 71 neonates (71 of 88, 80.7%) were completely healthy at birth. All children were healthy at the end of follow-up (median 17 months, range 0–149.5 months), except one who was diagnosed with retroperitoneal embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma at 5 years old and one who had acute myeloid leukemia at 22 months of age. At the end of follow-up (range 4.75–156 months), 16 of 81 (19.8%) patients were diagnosed with recurrence of cervical cancer, and 11 (90%) of those died because of cancer relapse. Neither median overall survival nor median progression-free survival were reached.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrated that neoadjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy could be a favorable choice for the management of patients with cervical cancer during the second and third trimesters. To reduce the side effects of chemotherapy, cisplatin might be good to use as monotherapy in these patients.

Management of gynecological cancer in pregnant patients

INTRODUCTION

Cancer during pregnancy is a rare but challenging condition. More women delay childbearing and consequently the incidence of cancer during pregnancy is constantly increasing.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

An extensive electronic search was performed in PubMed and Scopus. Only studies written after 1985 were considered eligible for this review. Abstracts, conference papers, book chapters, animal studies, commentaries as well as editorials articles were excluded from this review.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Cancer treatment during pregnancy is possible, but both maternal and fetal conditions need to be preserved. Randomized clinical trials are not feasible and current evidence are mainly based on case-series, small case reports and expert opinion. Cervical and ovarian cancers are the most common gynecological cancers diagnosed during pregnancy. Surgery and chemotherapy after the first trimester seem to be relatively safe for the newborn. Platinum-based chemotherapy administered during the 2nd-3rd trimester showed comparable adverse effects in newborns to those in the general population. Babies exposed to antenatal chemotherapy might be more likely to develop small for gestational age and NICU admission, than babies not exposed.

CONCLUSIONS

Management of pregnant women with cancer should be performed in specialized cancer centers and all cases should be discussed with a multidisciplinary approach. In the present review, we discuss the current recommendations for the management of pregnancies complicated by cancer and neonatal outcomes.