Paclitaxel and platinum chemotherapy for ovarian carcinoma during pregnancy

Background. Ovarian cancer diagnosed during pregnancy is uncommon. Paclitaxel-based chemotherapy during pregnancy has not been reported previously. Case. A woman with ascites and an adnexal mass diagnosed during pregnancy at 27 weeks gestational age underwent a laparotomy with cytoreductive surgery and was diagnosed with stage IIIC papillary serous ovarian adenocarcinoma. She was treated with three cycles of paclitaxel and cisplatin during pregnancy. At 37 weeks, she underwent a cesarean section, abdominal hysterectomy, and cytoreduction. Three additional cycles of chemotherapy were given. She developed a recurrence within 6 weeks of completing chemotherapy. She received several cycles of chemotherapy, but died of recurrent cancer 29 months after diagnosis. The infant has normal growth and development at 30 months of age. Conclusion. This is the first reported case of paclitaxel use during pregnancy.