Cervical cancer is the most common reproductive cancer in women aged 15 to 50. Pregnant women with early-stage cervical cancer are more likely to discover the cancer earlier due to frequent obstetrician visits. Treatment for cervical cancer during pregnancy depends on the trimester, with immediate treatment likely to result in a miscarriage if the fetus is less than three months old. Women diagnosed with stage 0 or 1A may be able to carry a baby to full term after treatment. Most women who have been treated for cervical cancer will not have the option of pregnancy afterwards.
The most common reproductive cancer in women aged 15 to 50 is cervical cancer. The link between cervical cancer and pregnancy has been much studied. While some studies of pregnant women who have cervical cancer have concluded that the course of cancer is not affected by pregnancy, they have also determined that women in this group are more likely to stillbirth. Some researchers speculate that pregnant women who have early-stage cervical cancer are more likely to discover the cancer earlier than would otherwise be likely. This is because, in its early stages, cervical cancer has few or no symptoms, and because pregnant women are much more likely to be seen by an obstetrician often, it stands to reason that they would be diagnosed sooner.
The connection between cervical cancer and pregnancy depends on which trimester a pregnant patient was in when the cancer was discovered. If the fetus is less than three months old, many doctors call for immediate treatment which, in all likelihood, will result in a miscarriage. They warn such patients that postponing chemotherapy or radiation for six months or more poses a significant danger as the cancer is more likely to metastasize during that time.
Cervical cancer and pregnancy may not be mutually exclusive. Many doctors believe that second or third trimester pregnancies can continue. In these cases, a cesarean delivery is recommended. Treatment should start immediately after the baby is born.
A second link between cervical cancer and pregnancy is found in women who were diagnosed and treated for cervical cancer before attempting a pregnancy. Most treatment options severely limit or eliminate the possibility of future pregnancies, with one exception. Women diagnosed with stage 0 or 1A may be able to get pregnant and carry the baby to full term.
If the patient has had a radical trachelectomy, her cervix and uterus have been treated but not completely removed. Malignant cells are scraped off during this procedure, but only the lower cervical section is extracted. Pregnancy can then occur after treatment, but the chance of miscarriage is significantly higher, and a cesarean delivery is required.
Most women who have been treated for cervical cancer will not have the option of pregnancy afterwards. In many cases, the uterus has been removed to prevent the cancer from spreading to other organs. In other cases, the radiation used as part of the treatment will have caused significant damage to the ovaries and the eggs will most likely no longer be viable.
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