Chemotherapy treatment of gynecologic malignancies during pregnancy should provide maternal benefit without undue fetal harm. We review the treatment regimens for gynecologic cancers occurring during pregnancy and the effects of chemotherapy on fetal development, parturition, and lactation. Women diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer during pregnancy require individualized treatment plans from a multidisciplinary team.
Target audience: Obstetricians & gynecologists, family physicians.
Learning objectives: After completing this CME activity, physicians should be better able to specify the indications for chemotherapy in gynecologic cancers during pregnancy and postpartum periods, discuss the risks and benefits of chemotherapy for gynecologic cancer during pregnancy and postpartum periods. In addition, they should also be able to distinguish the mechanism of action of various chemotherapy agents to choose the best treatment options for patients and monitor for impacts of chemotherapy on fetal growth to determine the best treatment and management strategies.