First-Ever Guidelines Published for Rare Cancers Associated with Pregnancy
Physicians around the world are improving treatment and outcomes for women diagnosed with rare gynecological cancers during pregnancy.
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® has released new treatment guidelines for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN), also known as gestational trophoblastic disease. It can occur when tumors develop in the cells that would normally form the placenta during pregnancy or after. It only affects about one out of every 1,000 pregnancies and due to the small number of cases, providers are not often aware how to provide the best treatment.
Moffitt gynecologic oncologist Dr. Hye Sook Chon, who sits on the guideline review panel, says the new guidelines were greatly needed.
“Data from the National Cancer Database demonstrate that most American women with GTN receive initial treatment at facilities that treat an average of less than one case per year, with survival rates lower than reported from specialized disease centers,” said Chon. “Therefore, it has real time impact on patient care to provide step by step approaches based on clinical conditions.”
Although rare and aggressive, GTN is highly curable when it is correctly diagnosed, treated and monitored. Chon says the new guidelines pull from the knowledge and experience of specialized disease centers across the world and will have a large impact on treatment decisions and improved patient outcomes.
