Other Cancers in Pregnancy
Hodgkin’s lymphoma often affects women in their late 20s and early 30s. It most often presents with large lymph nodes. These are usually in the neck or armpit.
Malignant melanoma can also affect pregnancy. Usually it is treated with surgical excision alone. Melanoma is the most common cancer to spread to the fetus.
Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in women. Very few cases occur in women young enough to have children, though. Symptoms of colon cancer usually include
- rectal bleeding
- change in bowel habits
- abdominal distention
These can be difficult to separate from pregnancy symptoms. Surgery is the primary therapy. But if the pregnancy is advanced, surgery may need to be delayed until after delivery.
Other more rare tumors can occur in pregnancy. As with the tumors discussed above, treatment should be individualized. Treatment of cancer in pregnancy should include a multi-disciplinary team. Members of that team should include:
- the patient and her family
- a gynecologic oncologist
- an obstetrician
- a neonatologist
- others as required
