Case report

Management of appendiceal pseudomyxoma peritonei diagnosed during pregnancy

Erika Haase¹ , Dal Yoo² and Paul H Sugarbaker²

¹  Department of Surgical Oncology, Princess Margaret Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

²  Program in Peritoneal Surface Malignancy, Washington Cancer Institute, Washington Hospital Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA

author email corresponding author email

World Journal of Surgical Oncology 2009, 7:48doi:10.1186/1477-7819-7-48

Published:	19 May 2009

Abstract

Background

The incidence of cancer during pregnancy is approximately 1 in 1000. The most common types encountered during pregnancy are cervical, breast and ovarian. Epithelial tumors of the appendix on the other hand are rare and account for only approximately 1% of all colorectal neoplasms; the occurrence of this neoplasm during pregnancy is extremely rare.

Case Presentation

The medical history of a 30 year old woman diagnosed at 17 weeks gestation with an appendiceal mucinous tumor with large volume pseudomyxoma peritonei was presented. Her pregnancy was preserved and she had an early vaginal delivery of a healthy baby at 35 weeks. At 2 1/2 weeks postpartum the patient underwent extensive cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy. She remains disease-free 5 years after her initial diagnosis. A literature review of this clinical situation and a discussion of treatment plans were presented.

Conclusion

The management of an appendiceal tumor with pseudomyxoma peritonei diagnosed during pregnancy requires full knowledge of the natural history of this disease to achieve a balance of concern for maternal survival and fetal health.