Metastatic unknown primary tumor presenting in pregnancy as multiple cerebral infarcts.
BACKGROUND
Cancer presenting during pregnancy is a rare event. There are no reports of an unknown primary tumor presenting during pregnancy.


METHODS
A 35-year-old primigravida presented at 16 weeks' gestation with multiple cerebral infarcts. After a negative workup she was discharged on anticoagulation therapy, only to return at 29 weeks with diffuse, metastatic cancer of unknown primary origin. After an elective 32-week delivery she received aggressive chemotherapy but ultimately died 5 months later.


CONCLUSIONS
Malignancy should be included in the differential diagnosis of unusual, unexplained cases of thromboembolism in pregnancy.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA.
Vincenzo
V
Berghella
Richard E
RE
Broth
Andrew E
AE
Chapman
Elyce
E
Cardonick
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000209:etiology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002542:Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology*; D009382:Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second