Stage I squamous cell carcinoma of vagina complicating pregnancy: successful conservative treatment

Abstract

Background: Vaginal squamous cell carcinoma in pregnancy is very rare situation.

Case: The patient was a 33-year-old woman, presenting with a complaint of vaginal brownish discharge at a 23 weeks of gestation. On pelvic examination at that time, a 2 by 2 cm mass on posterior vaginal fornix was seen. Biopsy of the lesion demonstrated a nonkeratinizing type invasive squamous cell carcinoma. She desired to continue the pregnancy and postpone the treatment until after delivery. On 23 weeks of gestation, we performed wide local excision, confirming T1 stage. On 33 weeks of gestation, a pelvic lymphadenectomy was carried out at the time of cesarean section to secure lymph node status pathologically. Further, she began intracavitary brachytherapy via vaginal cylinder in an adjuvant setting. She is 36 months from her initial surgery and remains disease free.

Conclusion: Treatment could be individualized for primary stage I vaginal squamous cell carcinoma complicating pregnancy.