Metastatic unknown primary tumor presenting in pregnancy as multiple cerebral infarcts

Obstet Gynecol. 2003 May;101(5 Pt 2):1060-2. doi: 10.1016/s0029-7844(02)02333-5.

Abstract

Background: Cancer presenting during pregnancy is a rare event. There are no reports of an unknown primary tumor presenting during pregnancy.

Case: A 35-year-old primigravida presented at 16 weeks' gestation with multiple cerebral infarcts. After a negative workup she was discharged on anticoagulation therapy, only to return at 29 weeks with diffuse, metastatic cancer of unknown primary origin. After an elective 32-week delivery she received aggressive chemotherapy but ultimately died 5 months later.

Conclusion: Malignancy should be included in the differential diagnosis of unusual, unexplained cases of thromboembolism in pregnancy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnosis*
  • Adenocarcinoma / therapy
  • Adult
  • Cerebral Infarction / etiology*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / etiology*
  • Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / therapy
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / therapy
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Second