Pancreatic adenocarcinoma in the pregnant patient: a case report and literature review

J Gastrointest Surg. 2009 Mar;13(3):535-41. doi: 10.1007/s11605-008-0697-2. Epub 2008 Sep 25.

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer is the fifth most common cause of cancer-related death in the USA. However, the antepartum diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma in the pregnant patient is exceedingly rare, with only six cases previously reported in the literature. Optimizing both maternal and fetal health outcomes is particularly challenging when surgical procedures are necessary for staging and/or therapeutic purposes--as these interventions often pose significant risks to both the mother and the developing fetus. In this article, we report a case of pancreatic adenocarcinoma diagnosed during pregnancy and review the literature on the management issues confronted in this unique clinical situation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnosis*
  • Adenocarcinoma / therapy*
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / therapy*