Management of undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver in pregnancy.
BACKGROUND
Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm with a poor prognosis. Most cases occur in children, with few cases reported in adults. Our patient was a woman whose pregnancy was complicated by the recurrence of metastatic undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver.


METHODS
In the medical literature only two other women have been described with metastatic undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver in pregnancy. This is the first reported case of undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver recurring in and requiring treatment during pregnancy. Radio frequency ablation was used to try to control sites of hepatic disease recurrence during the pregnancy. The patient gave birth to a healthy son before requiring further palliative chemotherapy.


CONCLUSIONS
This case highlights the fact that cancer not infrequently complicates pregnancy and can require treatment, in this case with radio frequency ablation. The case also illustrates a range of complex issues that arise when a patient with cancer has a pregnancy: the doctor's recommendations, the patient's right to choose, the well-being of the infant, and the unpredictable behavior of cancer.
McCarthy
Fergus P
FP
Royal Women's Hospital and Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, Australia. fergusmccarthy@gmail.com
Harris
Marion
M
Kornman
Louise
L
D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery