Metastatic unknown primary tumour presenting in pregnancy: a rarity posing an ethical dilemma

J Med Ethics. 2007 Aug;33(8):442-3. doi: 10.1136/jme.2006.017285.

Abstract

This brief report raises the ethical dilemma encountered by an obstetrician involved in the care of a pregnant woman with life-threatening disease. This is a particularly difficult issue if the maternal well-being is in conflict with the survival of the unborn child.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / secondary*
  • Adult
  • Beneficence
  • Cesarean Section
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Male
  • Maternal-Fetal Relations / psychology
  • Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / therapy*
  • Physician-Patient Relations / ethics
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / psychology*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / therapy
  • Pregnant Women / psychology
  • Prenatal Care / ethics*
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Refusal / ethics*
  • Treatment Refusal / psychology