Cancer has been documented to be the leading cause of death in most countries, and it can be more terrifying when occurring during pregnancy, raising concerns for both mother and fetus.

Diagnosing cancer during pregnancy can be challenging as the diagnostic tools have to be safe for both mother and baby. However, recent advances in diagnosing cancer during pregnancy have provided safer and more effective methods for both mother and baby.

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in pregnant women, and mammography is not a suitable method of diagnosis due to the radiation exposure.

Recent advances in breast cancer diagnosis have led to the development of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a safe alternative without compromising the health of the mother and baby. MRI has been found to be accurate in detecting breast tumors without using radiation, making it an essential diagnostic tool for pregnant women with breast cancer.

Cervical Cancer

The benefits of cervical cancer screening during pregnancy are essential for the treatment of early-stage cancers that are highly curable and help reduce the risk of preterm labor.

However, conventional cervical cancer screening methods, such as the Pap test, endocervical curettage, or colposcopy, raise concerns for the fetus’s safety. A recent study found that the human papillomavirus (HPV) test is an effective and non-invasive screening method for cervical cancer during pregnancy that can provide accurate results without harming the mother and baby.

Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is rare in pregnant women; however, it can still occur.

Most symptoms of ovarian cancer, such as abdominal pain and enlarged ovary, can be attributed to a normal pregnancy, making the diagnosis of ovarian cancer during pregnancy more difficult. Recent advances in transvaginal sonography and MRI have provided effective methods of diagnosing ovarian cancer during pregnancy.

The diagnostic tools can detect ovarian masses and provide valuable information on the stage and size of ovarian cancer, making it easier for doctors to develop effective treatment plans.

Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer represents a significant concern for pregnant women as the symptoms can be similar to the discomforts of pregnancy.

The diagnostic modalities, such as colonoscopy, raise concerns about potential harm to the fetus, particularly the risk of preterm labor. Recent advances in virtual colonoscopy (VC) have been proven to have high accuracy rates in diagnosing colorectal cancer without significant complications to the mother and baby.

A virtual colonoscopy is a non-invasive procedure that uses a computed tomography (CT) scan to create images of the colon while minimizing harm to the fetus.

Leukemia

Leukemia, a blood cancer, is the most common cancer diagnosed during pregnancy. The diagnosis of leukemia during pregnancy is complicated by the physiological changes that occur during pregnancy.

Conventional laboratory testing, such as bone marrow biopsy, has drawbacks for pregnant women. Recent advances in non-invasive diagnostic tools, such as flow cytometry, have proven to be effective in diagnosing leukemia during pregnancy without harm to the fetus.

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer during pregnancy is rare, but it can occur. The diagnosis of skin cancer during pregnancy is typically made with a biopsy of the lesion.

Because some anesthetics used in skin biopsy have potential complications for the fetus, doctors may delay surgery until after the delivery. However, recent advances in confocal microscopy have provided a non-invasive diagnostic method for skin cancer during pregnancy. Confocal microscopy provides images at a high resolution and can diagnose skin cancer without harming the fetus.

Lung cancer

Lung cancer is rare in pregnant women. However, when it occurs, it can be difficult to diagnose because chest X-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans raise concerns about radiation exposure to the fetus.

Recent advances in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have provided an effective method of diagnosing lung cancer during pregnancy. MRI can provide images of the chest without using radiation and can detect lung tumors with high accuracy rates while minimizing the potential risk to the fetus.

Brain Tumor

Brain tumors during pregnancy are rare but may occur. The diagnosis of brain tumors during pregnancy is essential for the health of both mother and baby.

Conventional diagnostic tests such as CT scans and MRIs have potential risks to the fetus due to the use of radiation. Recent advances in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) have provided an effective diagnostic method for brain tumors during pregnancy without harm to the fetus.

DWI has shown high accuracy rates in detecting brain tumors and providing valuable information necessary for developing effective treatment plans.

Treatment Options

The treatment options for cancer during pregnancy must consider the health of both mother and baby. The timing of treatment, the stage of cancer, the type of cancer, and the risk of complications all play a vital role in treatment decisions.

Recent advances in medical technology and treatment options have provided safer and effective methods of treating cancer, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, without harming the fetus.

Conclusion

Diagnosing cancer during pregnancy can be challenging and complex. However, recent advances in diagnostic technology have provided safer, non-invasive, and effective methods of detecting cancer without harming the mother and baby.

Early diagnosis of cancer during pregnancy is vital for the mother’s treatment and the health of the fetus. Doctors must consider the treatment options that provide the best outcome for both mother and baby.