Tumors and Pregnancy

Summary

Tumors during pregnancy are rare, but they can happen. Tumors can be either benign or malignant. Benign tumors aren’t cancer. Malignant ones are. The most common cancers in pregnancy are breast cancer, cervical cancer, lymphoma, and melanoma. Cancer itself rarely harms the baby, and some cancer treatments are safe during pregnancy. You and your health care provider will work together to find the best treatment. Your options will depend on how far along the pregnancy is, as well as the type, size, and stage of your cancer.

Another type of tumor that women can get is called a gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD). It happens when a fertilized egg doesn’t become a fetus. GTD is not always easy to find. It is usually benign, but some types can be malignant. The most common type of GTD is a molar pregnancy. In its early stages, it may look like a normal pregnancy. You should see your health care provider if you have vaginal bleeding (not menstrual bleeding).

Treatment depends on the type of tumor, whether it has spread to other places, and your overall health.

National Cancer Institute

Find an Expert

• American Cancer Society American Cancer Society
• Find a Cancer Doctor American Society of Clinical Oncology
• Find an Ob-Gyn American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
• National Cancer Institute National Cancer Institute

Start Here

• Cancer during Pregnancy American Society of Clinical Oncology
• General Information about Breast Cancer Treatment during Pregnancy National Cancer Institute
• General Information about Gestational Trophoblastic Disease National Cancer Institute

Treatments and Therapies

• Cervical Cancer Treatment during Pregnancy National Cancer Institute
• Drugs Approved for Gestational Trophoblastic Disease National Cancer Institute
• Gestational Trophoblastic Disease Treatment National Cancer Institute
• Treating Breast Cancer during Pregnancy American Cancer Society
• Treatment of Hodgkin Lymphoma during Pregnancy National Cancer Institute

Patient Handouts

• Choriocarcinoma Medical Encyclopedia
• Gestational trophoblastic disease Medical Encyclopedia
• Hydatidiform mole Medical Encyclopedia

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Cancer and Pregnancy National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Gestational Trophoblastic Disease National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Hydatidiform Mole National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic National Institutes of Health

NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

• Diagnosed When Pregnant: A Young Mom’s Breast Cancer Story

Related Issues

• Diethylstilbestrol (DES) Exposure and Cancer National Cancer Institute

Specifics

• Molar Pregnancy Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Pheochromocytoma during Pregnancy National Cancer Institute

Journal Articles

• Tumors and Pregnancy

Diagnosis and Tests

• Stages of Gestational Trophoblastic Tumors and Neoplasia National Cancer Institute