Uterine evacuation with misoprostol safe for cervical cancer in pregnancy

Uterine evacuation with misoprostol safe for cervical cancer in pregnancy

(University of New Mexico-August 20, 2003)

"Radiotherapy as definitive treatment for invasive cervical cancer during pregnancy causes spontaneous abortion in most cases," scientists in the United States report.

"Surgical evacuation of the uterus is indicated when abortion does not occur, exposing patients to additional morbidity. Two Latin American women, diagnosed with FIGO stage IB2 cervical cancer at approximately 15 weeks gestation, underwent radiotherapy with radiosensitizing chemotherapy," wrote K. Ostrom and colleagues, University New Mexico, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

"After intrauterine fetal demise was detected, both women underwent induction with misoprostol. Results included one complete abortion and one incomplete abortion without complications or delays in treatment," the researchers stated.

The researchers concluded: "These cases demonstrate that induction with misoprostol appears to be a safe and effective alternative to surgical evacuation of the uterus when spontaneous abortion fails to occur during radiotherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer."

Ostrom and colleagues published their study in the International Journal of Gynecological Cancer (Uterine evacuation with misoprostol during radiotherapy for cervical cancer in pregnancy. Int J Gynecol Cancer, 2003;13(3):340-343).

For more information, contact K. Ostrom, University New Mexico, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, MSC 10-5580, 1, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA.

The information in this article comes under the major subject area of Oncology. This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports.