Chemotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer and pregnancy

Background. Carcinoma of the cervix is the most common malignant tumor asso ciated with pregnancy. The initial stages and premalignant lesions apparent ly present the same prognosis in pregnant and nonpregnant women; however, t here are limited data regarding outcome for locally advanced cervical cance r in pregnancy. Case. A 26-year-old woman, gravida 4, para 3, at 14 weeks and 4 days' gesta tion, was diagnosed with a FIGO stage IIB squamous cell carcinoma of the ce rvix, treated by primary chemotherapy with cisplatin and bleomycin, until p regnancy resolution at 38 weeks. The newborn infant is currently 3 years ol d and presents no evidence of abnormalities in neuropsychomotor development . Conclusion. The present case demonstrates that chemotherapy was harmless fo r the child up to the present time. However, a longer follow-up is needed t o determine the safe outcome of this child. (C) 2001 Academic Press.