Anaplastic astrocytoma during pregnancy: A case report

Abstract

This case report describes the diagnosis and management of a 29-year-old woman who at 21 weeks pregnant presented to the emergency department with a headache, vertigo and dysarthria. A suspected low-grade astrocytoma vs oligodendroglioma was diagnosed with the initial MRI. The patient was able to continue pregnancy until term with expectant management without worsening of the neurological symptoms. A healthy female baby was delivered via c-section. During puerperium, the patient presented with seizures which ultimately led to institutional neuronavigation-guided resection of the lesion with a histological diagnosis of an anaplastic astrocytoma. To this date, the patient continues oncological treatment no additional surgical interventions were required.  Due to low incidence of primary brain tumors in association to pregnancy, there are no generalized or unified guidelines for the diagnosis, management and treatment of such disease. A multidisciplinary approach may aid physicians achieve a targeted and effective treatment during pregnancy to improve obstetric and fetal outcomes.