[Ovarian tumors and pregnancy]

Abstract

Ovarian tumors during pregnancy are a rare event. In most cases the tumors are detected accidentially during routine examination, ultrasound or a caesarean section at term. The incidence of malignant ovarian tumors is about 1:10,000 to 1:40,000 pregnancies. Histologic subtypes and prognosis do not differ from tumors not associated with pregnancy, it seems however, that there are more lesions of borderline malignancy and of low grade. Therapy depends mostly on the age of gestation and tumor stage. Conservative surgery is recommended only in stage IA disease. Radical surgery and if necessary adjuvant therapy is recommended during the first trimester. In the third trimester a caesarean section can be followed by radical surgery, provided that there is a close cooperation between gynecologists and pediatricians. In the second trimester this regimen is possible only as an exception which includes a critical maternal risk-benefit assessment.