Cancer of the colon during pregnancy. A review of the literature and report of a case associated with ulcerative colitis

Abstract

The first case of adenocarcinoma of the transverse colon and splenic flexture during pregnancy associated with ulcerative colitis is reported. The patient presented with perforation and widespread metastatic disease. After 10 years' duration of symptoms of ulcerative colitis, the risk of coexisting cancer of the colon is 3 to 5% each year. As ulcerative colitis frequently coexists with pregnancy, the obstetrician needs to be alert to the potential for malignant changes in these patients. With the addition of this patient, there are now 18 reported cases of cancer of the colon during pregnancy. These 18 cases are reviewed especially as to management, outcome of the pregnancy, and prognosis.