Ovarian cancer diagnosis during pregnancy, what will happen?

Ovarian cancer that occurs during pregnancy can usually be detected sooner. This is because people who are pregnant often check with an obstetrician to see the condition of the fetus they are carrying. If you are diagnosed with ovarian cancer while pregnant, you should consult several experts in order to get the best solution, for example on cancer specialists, obstetricians, and pediatricians.

Symptoms and signs of ovarian cancer during pregnancy

The symptoms and signs of ovarian cancer during pregnancy are the same as those of not being pregnant. In the initial phase there are usually no significant symptoms and characteristics. Even if you do feel it, it may be mild to the point where you can hardly distinguish it from the discomfort of the pregnancy itself.

Here are some of the symptoms that usually mark ovarian cancer:

The stomach feels bloated and painful
Heartburn
Lack of appetite
Feel full quickly when eating
Urinating frequently
Fatigue
Back pain
Constipation (difficulty passing stools for days or weeks)

Some of the symptoms above are generally possible to appear during pregnancy. However, if you feel the condition is worse, immediately consult a doctor for further tests.

The usual test for ovarian cancer

Usually the doctor will perform a series of tests to diagnose cancer. Diagnosis is usually made by ultrasound (USG), MRI, and CT scan. However, CT scans produce radiation that is not safe for the unborn baby. So that MRI and ultrasound can be alternatives because they tend to be much safer.

A CA-125 blood test (a tumor marker for ovarian cancer) is also usually done to diagnose ovarian cancer, but it is not completely accurate during pregnancy. This is because pregnancy can increase CA-125 itself.

Steps that need to be taken for the treatment of ovarian cancer while pregnant

The goal of ovarian cancer treatment during pregnancy is to save the lives of both mother and baby. The treatment you will choose depends on how severe your cancer is and how it affects the body. In this case, the doctor will better know which is the best solution for healing.

Generally, there are two types of treatment that are usually carried out, namely:

1. Surgery

If surgery is needed, it can be done after you give birth. It is different if during pregnancy you feel excruciating pain or there are other complications such as bleeding. Then surgery during pregnancy may be required. All of this comes down to the decision of the doctor who understands which steps should be taken.

In the early stages, usually surgery will be done to remove the part of the ovary that is affected by cancer cells. However, if the cancer has spread throughout the ovaries, it is possible that the uterus will be removed.

If the pregnancy is less than 24 weeks, removal of the uterus will obviously end the pregnancy and the fetus will not survive. However, if the gestational age is more than 24 weeks but still less than 36 weeks, a caesarean section is required to remove the baby. Furthermore, the process of removing the new uterus will be carried out. All considerations regarding surgery you can consult directly with your gynecologist as clearly as possible.

2. Chemotherapy

Studies in Europe suggest chemotherapy can be lived during pregnancy. Fetuses whose mothers receive chemotherapy in the second or third trimester of pregnancy can develop normally. However, chemotherapy is generally not recommended during the first trimester, because of the risk of birth defects. It is feared that radiation therapy in the first trimester will have harmful effects on your baby.

Effects of ovarian cancer on the fetus

According to experts, ovarian cancer is not a type of cancer that can spread to the fetus. If you are under a doctor's care, usually a team of doctors will continue to monitor to ensure that your cancer does not affect the baby in the womb.

Whatever treatment you are taking, it needs close monitoring to ensure the condition of both mother and baby. In addition, always consult your doctor about the progress of your condition to get the best treatment.