Hi
I was wondering if there is anyone out there that was diagnosed with neuroendocrine small cell carcinoma of the cervix during pregnancy? I am almost 15 weeks pregnant with my second child and at 9 wks 5 days I was diagnosed with the above mentioned cancer. This past Thursday, Sept 10th 2009, I had a cone biopsy and cerclage done. During the biopsy, the doctor found a small tumor and removed it. I have a follow up with mmy oncologist on the 23rd to discuss the results of the biopsy and our treatment options. My concern is for my unborn baby AND my 3 yr old daughter. I am worried about how this will effect her and don't want to risk leaving her without her mom.
Does anyone know which type of chemo is used for this type of cancer that is safe to use during pregnancy?
Any insight you might have would be appreciated.
Thanks and best of health to you all!!
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Cervical cancer during pregnancy
- By kgage97
- Posted September 14, 2009 at 10:36 pm · 28 replies
- In Cervical cancer stages and treatment
- Shared with the public
Explore topics in this discussion:
Cancer Taxol Surgery Hysterectomy Falls Pregnancy Diabetes Cervical cancer Breast feeding Chemotherapy Gestational diabetes HPV Carcinoma in situ Stress
28 replies
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- By mobilis
- Posted September 15, 2009 at 7:44 am
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Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I can't think how stressful it must be to have to go through this while pregnant.
I haven't been in your situation, but there is a lot of useful info at http://www.pregnantwithcancer.org/.
Wishing you all the best.
- By mommy2four
- Posted September 15, 2009 at 8:19 am
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I believe I have seen posts here about cervical cancer while pregnant... maybe do a search and see if you can find older posts. I'm sorry for all you are having to deal with and send lots of hugs your way! You are in the right spot here - there are a LOT of wonderful women who will share their wisdom.... better than asking a doctor:) I wish you the best & please keep us posted!! Praying for that little baby & strength for you & your family...
- By BAR32
- Posted September 15, 2009 at 9:38 am
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I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis. Do you know what stage you are? I was diagnosed with stage 1b cerical cancer last year and had a radical trachelectomy. In researching that procedure, i came across a few articles from drs. who have preformed the surgery on pregnant women. I believe Pedro Ramirez from MD anderson in texas has done so. It is the removal of the cervix.
- By kgage97
- Posted September 16, 2009 at 9:44 am
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Thank you all for your responses!!! I believe (will confirm next week) I am stage 1a. Also, thank you for reminding me about MD Anderson in TX. For the life of me I could not remember the name of that facility. I plan to contact them and tell them about my situation and see if they have had any similar cases and what treatment options they suggest. Or they could at least contact my doctor at Moffitt and discuss treatment options. I just think that the mores smart brains involved, the better the treatment and outcome.
I will ask my doctor about removing just the cervix while leaving the uterus in tact as an option.
- By PJ2
- Posted September 16, 2009 at 1:44 pm
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I am currently pregnant at 19 weeks and discussed this same thing with my doctor when I found out I was pregnant (at 8 weeks). He mentioned that chemo and radiation would not be possible while pregnant. Depending upon diagnosis, we would need to consider my options, as far as allowing me to continue or terminating. He did say that as long as it wasn't adenocarcinoma, he would considering letting me go to term if I was still at Stage 1 (a/b). Beyond that, it wasn't advisable. However, if it was squamous, non-invasive cancer, he would consider letting me get to 32 weeks and then start viability testing to see about taking the baby early. Once I delivered, they would start treatment and move forward from there.
Fortunately, I didn't have to put this plan into action, as it turned out to be something different going on (I am in a precancer phase for lymphoma and being watched very carefully). However, he said as long as the cancer isn;t advanced and such, they would go along.
In my case, I am not sure if I could terminate. I found out last week that there may be some genetic issues with the baby I am carrying and went through an amnio and genetic testing (I get results on Friday this week), but decided for me that if I was to terminate, that it would kill me inside anyway as I just couldn't live with that decision - or so I feel that way today. Ten years ago when I was diagnosed with cervical cancer, I thought differently, but after having two kids, terminating is the last case scenario for me.
Anyway, I hope this helps, but I am sure the doctor's you see will determine you path with you, just as mine did for me.
Are you seeing a perinatalogist currently? if not, you should see one bi-weekly.
Let me know how things go. I am considering writing something about HPV, cervical cancer and pregnancy and I am really interested in other women's experiences in this area.
Sending big hugs!
PJ
- By kgage97
- Posted September 18, 2009 at 4:41 pm
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Hi PJ! I hope you see this soon. I remember you saying that you were getting results today of some prenatal genetic testing and was wondering how things went. I hope all went well and they gave you the answers you wanted.
As for me, I am still very nervous about what the doctor will say next week. The waiting and not knowing is almost worse than the diagnosis. They have mentioned several times that they recommend terminating but right now that is just not a viable option for me. Until I know more specifically what we are dealing with, i just can't even consider it. If the biopsy comes back worse than we are expecting, then I will have to strongly consider teminating the pregnancy because I don't feel I have the right to chose to leave my 3 y.o. daughter with her mother. It is not right or fair to her or my husband. But at the same time I feel like if I have to chose termination, I am being selfish and not giving this baby the chance at life. So, either way I am hurting one of or both of my children. It is not a good feeling.
I'm sorry for the rant. A lot of emotions have been bubbling up these last few days.
If you are still interested in writing a book about cervical cancer and pregnancy, I would so support you. One thing that seems to really surprise all of my doctors (especiall with my current diagnosis) is that my mother had hvp carcinoma in situ, stage 4 back in the day (they have reorganized the staging since 1978), while she was pregnant with me. Seems to blow them away. And they say the cervical cancer is not hereditary. Then why are they so shocked by this revelation and the fact that her mom also was diagnosed with cervical cancer, although later in life.
Sorry, another rant.
Anyway, I hope to hear from you soon that the doctors gave you all good news.
I wish you good health!!
Kim
- By PJ2
- Posted September 18, 2009 at 5:10 pm
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Rant away Kim. I totally understand. When there is another life growing inside you and you are responsible for its future, it can be daunting to be presented with this type of diagnosis, to say the very least! I still think pregnancy and cervical cancer falls into that unchartered territory, with some doctors skipping straight to termination and others saying let's wait and see.
As with anything, there is no cut and dry answer, but the standard of care is so lacking. I am fortunate enough to be in with a practice that is in the know, but I have so many friends who haven't been so fortunate. My doctor is amazing and so caring, I can't say enough.
But still, so many doctor's never counsel their patients after a Cone or LEEP about their reporductive futures, complications with pregnancy or what they will need to do.
Being high-risk has a lot of components (as you know) and you see a lot of doctors. They never tell you how radically different your pregnancy will be from all your friends, living you to feel isolated not only in precancer/HPV/cancer, but in pregnancy as well.
My hope for you is that things aren't as bad as they appear and that you will be able to carry to at least 7-8 months!!! If you can just reach that point, then you should be viable and start treatment as needed. I am sorry you are having such a stressful pregnancy, because it can be tough enough without a cancer diagnosis on top of it. Hang in there and if you need to talk, send me a note.
Saying a little prayer for you!
PJ
PS - Just found out my genetic tests were a false positive. One test was off before I got pregnant (as they were worried I was in a precancer stage before pregnancy) so it may have caused a false positive in the genetic testing. Thankfully, the baby is OK.
- By kgage97
- Posted September 18, 2009 at 10:11 pm
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Pj,
I am so happy for you that all the tests came back OK. That must be such a relief for you!! Congrats!!
Thank you for the prayers. Right now I fell like we can use all we can get.
You are right about high risk pregnancies. I was already considered high risk before the cancer because I have a history of gestational diabetes. Ironically, the same day I had my second appointment with my oncologist and set the date for the cone biopsy, I got the call from my regular OB telling me that I failed my 3hr glucose test. As if I didn't already have a bad day, this was just the straw that broke the camel's back, so to speak.
Hopefully next week will be the week of answers for us. Good answers! Once I have those answers I will post on here again. Maybe even before that if I need to rant some more.
Thanks again! You really have been very helpful.
Good health!!
Kim
- By mobilis
- Posted September 19, 2009 at 4:03 am
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PJ, glad to see that the tests came back ok. It sounds as though you've had a rough ride recently, and I hope the rest of your pregnancy is easy sailing.
- By SisterLove
- Posted September 20, 2009 at 11:08 pm
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Kim,
My sister was diagnosed with Neuroendocrine Cervical Cancer in January 2009. She was 11 months postpartum when she was diagnosed. She had a 2 1/2 year old and 11 month old at diagnosis. I don't want to alarm you- but this is a very scary, aggressive cancer - even at "early" stages. I can't imagine what you are going through, especially being pregnant. I have 2 boys of my own and CAN'T imagine the question of terminating a pregnancy. With this said, I believe you should know how serious this cancer is. It is very rare, <4% of cervical cancers. It is known to spread rapidly, even after being in remission. If you are still a Stage 1a, that is wonderful. I hope that is the case and they can do surgery to remove it. I would suggest chemo and/or radiation after you deliver the baby. My sister's doctors did chemo and radiation before surgery in order to kill the cancer before it would spread. She went through 8 rounds of chemo, 20 external radiation treatments and 2 internal radiation treatments. She had a robotic assisted hysterectomy with pelvic and aortic lymphectomies. She is currently cancer free. She has a follow up next month to make sure the cancer is not back.
Do your research, look up different doctors and get as much education as you possible can before you make any decisions. Remember, you have a 3 year old and husband who want to grow old with you.
Sending you many prayers and comfort.
Katie
- By sandiego
- Posted September 21, 2009 at 12:20 am
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Kim,
I would love to provide any support, help and friendship I can to you at this time.
I know EXACTLY what you are feeling right now. In 2005 I was diagnosed with stage 1b1 adenosquemous cell carcinoma - I had a 2 year old son and was 14 weeks pregnant at diagnosis. Regardless, of my decisions or choices I would love to help you! There is no good choice given the situation. I would love to talk. Also, I do have some paperwork my doctors gave me with research on stage 1 cancers during pregnancy and their outcomes after postponing treatment.
Please email me directly if you'd like to talk (ecunningham@adelphia.net) - I am only on here once in a while. If you don't feel like talking, just update me when you have a chance.
Thinking of you.
Alicia
- By Dragonfly23
- Posted September 21, 2009 at 9:57 am
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I'm sorry you're having to deal with this during what should be a happy time.
Unfortunately, there is no chemotherapy that is safe during pregnancy. Even when taking chemo after delivery, you must stop breast feeding because the chemo will come through into the breast milk.
- By elleshort22
- Posted September 21, 2009 at 1:25 pm
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i know no medicine can be totally safe during pregnancy. i recall reading an article recently about a woman many years ago who needed chemo while pregnant and everything did turn out fine - her child was much older now like 8 or so. so i guess it is possible to have chemo in some instances. i can't recall what mag i was reading, maybe the parents issue from the summer months.
- By mcnavarro33
- Posted September 21, 2009 at 7:28 pm
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aw you poor thing! This is supposed to be a purely happy time. My personal opinion, I would not let doctors touch me anymore. I would try alternative/holistic methods immediately. Not only is chemo and radiation so damaging to your body, it can be horrific to a 15 week old baby. I would really try to contact a naturopathic doctor to see what your options are, I know there are a lot more options with natural means than with traditional medicine.
Accupunture may be something that you really benefit from...helps relive stress too which I'm guessing your feeling a lot of. Not sure what the recommendations are with pregnancy so it would something I would ask a naturopathic. Nutritional is extremely important right now too. No sugars at all!!!! I would even stay away from as much meat and dairy as I could, however you may need the dairy for calcuim, but then get organic. Everything you buy, make sure its organic. You dont need anymore hormones in your body right now when your horomones are already out of balance from the pregnancy. And take those prenatals every day!
Hang in there honey! You'll be just fine!
- By kgage97
- Posted September 29, 2009 at 5:03 pm
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So, I went back to the doctor. They said the cervix and cerclage look great.
Got the results of the biopsy. They were not able to get all of the tumor. He has put it at stage 1b. Now the plan is to start chemotherapy on October 2nd with follow-up rounds every 3 weeks. They also referred me to a high risk OB in Tampa who will deliver the baby when the time comes. I have to see a peri-natologist to keep a close eye on the baby's growth and development during the chemo treatments and after delivery. depending on how well the baby and I both respond to the treatments, they could deliver the baby any time between 28 weeks and 36 weeks gestation. The delivery will be by c-section immediately followed by a radical hysterectomy and lymphnodectomy.
So, I didn't exactly get the news I wanted but it could have been a lot worse! At least we now have a plan of action in front of us and are no longer floating around in limbo.
- By mobilis
- Posted October 1, 2009 at 4:39 pm
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Gosh, that all sounds like a lot to swallow. I see you start chemo tomorrow - I hope that goes ok for you and the baby.
I think that your positive attitude is amazing.
- By kelbel09
- Posted October 1, 2009 at 8:24 pm
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hey kgage97 wow that is alot to swallow esp when you are preggo--I feel for you know that god only gives us mountains when he knows we can climb them :) I to am preggo about 12 weeks. My last pap july 09 was abnormal again I though it was just ascs but at my last ob the midwife let me know this time it is different low grade scouantmous lesions with dysplasia so 6 weeks after the baby is born another copo for me :) my only advice ask lots of questions there is no stupid questions all the specialists the gyo everyone ask ask ask b/c I think I want another repeat pap during the pregnancy but have to ask the DR in nov-- good luck let us know how it goes god bless you and your family on this tough journey not impossible just tough :) you are in my prayers
- By SisterLove
- Posted October 6, 2009 at 9:45 am
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I am sorry the doctors were not able to get all of the tumor. I can't imagine the gamet of emotions you are experiencing. Good luck with the start of chemo. What chemo medications are they giving you? I have not experienced this cancer while being pregnant, but experienced it with my sister. She has a follow up next week - to make sure the cancer has not returned. Good luck. Many prayers are being sent your way.
Blessings
- By PJ2
- Posted October 6, 2009 at 6:12 pm
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Hi kgage -
Just wanted to check in and see how you are doing. I think you started chemo this week, right? How are you feeling? Good news is that you can continue with your pregnancy and at least hit 28 weeks.
Just wanted to let you know I am thinking about you and saying a prayer that all goes well for you, the baby and your family. Hang in there and stay strong. If you need to talk - you know where to find me!
xo,
PJ
- By kgage97
- Posted October 6, 2009 at 9:45 pm
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Thanks SisterLove,
I did start chemo this week and they are giving me Cisplatin and Etoposide. Not to mention a whole pharmacy of anti-nausea medications. I hope your sister's follow-up goes well. I will be saying prayers for her!!
Kim
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