Ovarina Cancer during pregnancy

[maramiller]

Two weeks ago I went in for surgery to remove what they thought was a Dermoid cyst 15CM large.   We found it from an earlier ultra sound and the OBGYN advised me to take it out now for fear it would rupture during pregnancy.  When they went in to get it to their surprise they found Ovarian Cancer not a dermoid cyst.   The cancer is stage 1C with a grade 3 tumor.   As a reult of the tumor having mostly cancer cells they are recommending chemo start at 20 weeks of pregnancy.  Every 3 weeks for 3 - 6 months.   The cocktail of choice is Taxol and carboplatin.  I guess I was hoping that someone else out there has gone through this while being pregnant.  I only hope I am doing the right things.  Do i go thru Chemo now or wait?  The oncologist has no clue how fast it will grow and only cna tell me that Grade 3 is a rapid growth pattern for Ovarian cancer.  Has anyone had to go through chemo with a new born?  Chemo during pregnancy?  Any help I would greatly appreciate.  Thank you :)

[lisapep]

First of all I would llike to say i am so sorry to hear that you are going through this... I can not even imagine.  I cannot offer any insight.. except that I wish you the best.  Have they considered inducing early to limit the babies exposure to chemo? Is that an option.  Please let us know how you are doing and you are in my prayers,

[maramiller]

They have thought about inducing but I think the doctors are still confering on that one.  Because this is so rare.   My doctor has taken on the advise from the other two teaching hospitals in NC Duke and Chapel Hill.  Thank you for your support and thoughts.

[Catastrophia]

Oh, I don't know how to express my feelings about your situation.I thought that my having to have an ovary removed at the end of the mo. was a big deal.The Gyn did an A125 teat and it came back negative.I feel guilty after reading your post.Ovarian cancer wasn't what it use to be.There is better technology.But I'm sure that it doesn't make you feel better.Let's think positive and cause less stress on the baby.And yes, please let us know every step of the way.God bless you and your baby.

Cat

[warmbreeze]

I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am that you have to go through this. No one should have to think about something like this while carrying a baby. You've made my problem seem small, and I am wishing you all the best. Please post when you can and let us know how you're doing.

[Tan123]

Having a cyst now and listening to my Dr There has been successful case of tumor remove followed by a course of chemo during pregnancy.  

I'm not sure which type of cancer tumor you had but i hope this article can help



Paclitaxel and Carboplatin Chemotherapy Administered During Pregnancy for Advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer

Luis E. Méndez, MD, Antoaneta Mueller, MD, Emery Salom, MD and Víctor Hugo González-Quintero, MD, MPH

Divisions of Gynecological Oncology and Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Miami School of Medicine/Jackson Memorial Medical Center, Miami, Florida



Address reprint requests to: Luis E. Méndez, MD, 1475 NW 12 Avenue, Suite 3500, Miami, FL 33136; E-mail: ***@****.





ABSTRACT



BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer diagnosed during pregnancy is uncommon. Most chemotherapy use reported has been in combination with cisplatinum. Paclitaxel in combination with carboplatin during pregnancy has not yet been reported.



CASE: A right adnexal mass was diagnosed during pregnancy at 5 weeks’ gestational age in a 30-year-old woman. A laparotomy was performed 2weeks later because of the worsening nature of her symptoms and the possibility of ovarian torsion. At surgery, the patient was diagnosed with stage IIIC ovarian papillary serous cystadenocarcinoma. She was treated with six cycles of paclitaxel and carboplatin beginning at 16–17 weeks’ gestation. At 35.5 weeks’ gestation, a cesarean hysterectomy, left salpingo-oophorectomy, and pelvic and paraaortic nodal sampling with multiple peritoneal biopsies was performed without incident. However, the patient had refractory disease present in the remaining ovary. She was treated with further chemotherapy and is currently doing well. The patient experienced no adverse reactions during her treatment, and the infant has normal growth and development at 15 months of age.



CONCLUSION: Paclitaxel used in combination with carboplatin for the treatment of ovarian cancer during pregnancy caused no adverse effects in the infant.

[mama3043]

I saw a special on the health channel of a woman that had chemo while pregnant. Baby was perfectly fine.

P.S.

Sorry you are going through this. I pray for your recovery and the health of your baby.

[r2fant2002]

I just wanted to let you know I will be praying for you and your baby!  We are all sending good thoughts and positive energy your way!!  Please keep as posted when you are albe.

[rachv67]

Hello There



I am so sorry to hear about your plight.  I am now 26 weeks pregnant and at 21 weeks I went into hospital and had a large cyst (approx 15 cm x 10 cm) removed along with my left ovary.  I am now going to have my baby delivered at 36 weeks by Ceasar and then six weeks later will have a course of chemo - I'm having Carboplatin.  I'm sorry that I can't give you any reassurance about chemo during your pregnancy but I do utterly empathise with how you are feeling at this time and send you all the best from me in the UK.

[dr_roon]

Hi. First of all I'm so sorry to hear u have ovarian ca

I'm a 6th year med student doing internal medicine rotation (last one before I graduate in June). We are in oncology team this week and we had an gyne referral.

Our case is very similar to yours. She's a 34 years old lady with a 7 years history of primary infertility. She was 22 weeks pregnant when they found she had Lt ovarian mass which turned out to be ovarian cancer