Colon Adenocarcinoma during Pregnancy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract EN

Colorectal cancer (CRC) during pregnancy presents an estimated incidence of 1 : 13,000, and it is associated with diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Here, we present the case of a 38-year-old woman, 25 weeks and 5 days pregnant, who was transferred to our Obstetrics and Gynecology Department from a local hospital with the diagnosis of intestinal obstruction.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed marked distension with hydroaerial levels of the enterocolic loops upstream of a concentric parietal thickening of the descending colon, stenosing, extended longitudinally for about 4 cm.

An exploratory laparotomy was performed with resection of the colon splenic flexure and mechanical end-terminal anastomosis.

Histological examination of the operating piece highlighted the presence of moderately differentiated (G2) colon adenocarcinoma (stage pT3N1b).

The operation was followed by a single course of oxaliplatin and 5-FU plus leukovorin.

The patient had a vaginal delivery at 37 weeks+2 days of gestational age, following induction of labor and giving birth to a male infant whose weight was 2670 gr with apgar 9/9.

We underline the pivotal role of attention to unspecific symptoms, early diagnosis, and active treatment in changing the clinical course of CRC.