The patient had stage IB3 cervical cancer with a 4x5 cm tumor. "When the doctor told me I had cancer, I was terrified. I didn't know if my baby had a chance to live or if I would even live to see my child born," she said.

Doctors from multiple departments at the National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology consulted and decided to administer 4 cycles of chemotherapy during the pregnancy to control the cancer while minimizing the impact on the fetus.

Before the treatment, the expectant mother was worried about the potential harm of chemotherapy to her unborn child. However, Dr. Nguyen Van Thang, head of the Gynecological Oncology Department, explained that according to the latest research and recommendations, appropriately selected chemotherapy drugs would not cause birth defects and could still effectively control the cancer.

"In this case, our goal was to control the tumor while bringing the fetus to a viable stage, to save both mother and child," Dr. Thang said.

At 33 weeks, the woman experienced premature rupture of membranes and was hospitalized for monitoring and fetal lung maturation. Three weeks after completing chemotherapy, on 7/8, the surgical team delivered a healthy baby boy weighing 1.9 kg, while performing a radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection on the mother in the same procedure. The post-operative tumor sample was sent for pathological analysis to determine if adjuvant therapy was necessary.

The healthy newborn baby boy. Photo provided by the hospital

The healthy newborn baby boy. Photo provided by the hospital

Dr. Thang said this was a complex case requiring seamless coordination between obstetrics, gynecological oncology, anesthesiology and resuscitation, and neonatal resuscitation. During the surgery, the team faced challenges as the patient had just undergone chemotherapy and needed a cesarean section followed by a radical hysterectomy, increasing the risk of blood loss and damage to the ureters, bladder, and blood vessels. The doctors had to work quickly to ensure both the mother's and the baby's safety and well-being.

Experts advise that a cervical cancer diagnosis during pregnancy doesn't automatically necessitate termination. With early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, women can control the disease and carry the pregnancy to term. Chemotherapy during pregnancy, when appropriately prescribed, does not worsen the disease's progression and can help sustain the fetus.

Le Nga