Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Is Termination Of Pregnancy Necessary While Treating Stomach Cancer?
Question: I have a girl that I messed around with that has stomach cancer. They told her its early stage but she has to do chemo and also surgery.. She also had past surgery for hernia in the stomach. She still has small hernia bubbles in. Her stomach. She is 3 weeks pregnant. We go to the Doctors on Friday to find out if we are able to keep the baby. What are the chances with the hernia and stomach cancer that the doctor will likely tell us to keep it. I honestly don't want to keep the baby.
Brief Answer:
detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I am very sorry for your friend.The good news is that the cancer is still in an early stage and there is hope for it to be curable.
I don't think she can keep the baby and I am sure her doctors will suggest a medical abortion.The treatment that will be used to treat stomach cancer (chemotherapy and surgery ) is very aggressive and it is impossible for the baby to survive.Considering the fact that she is only 3 weeks pregnant ,the best approach is termination of pregnancy to allow a better management of cancer.
It would have been different if the diagnosis of stomach cancer was made in advance pregnancy (over 24 weeks).In this case it would have been in discussion to keep the baby or not but in early pregnancy ,the guidelines recommend the termination of pregnancy.I am very sorry for that.
Termination of pregnancy can be very difficult for her so she may need all your support and help.
I hope everything goes well and she will win this battle.
Please feel free to ask if you have any question.
Kind regards,
Dr.Rovena Murati
detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I am very sorry for your friend.The good news is that the cancer is still in an early stage and there is hope for it to be curable.
I don't think she can keep the baby and I am sure her doctors will suggest a medical abortion.The treatment that will be used to treat stomach cancer (chemotherapy and surgery ) is very aggressive and it is impossible for the baby to survive.Considering the fact that she is only 3 weeks pregnant ,the best approach is termination of pregnancy to allow a better management of cancer.
It would have been different if the diagnosis of stomach cancer was made in advance pregnancy (over 24 weeks).In this case it would have been in discussion to keep the baby or not but in early pregnancy ,the guidelines recommend the termination of pregnancy.I am very sorry for that.
Termination of pregnancy can be very difficult for her so she may need all your support and help.
I hope everything goes well and she will win this battle.
Please feel free to ask if you have any question.
Kind regards,
Dr.Rovena Murati
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Are you sure? She did one chemo treatment already. The doctor said it might be able to keep it just the treatment would have to be pushed back. I can't see the doctor allowing 9 months to go by especially with a cancer that could be growing by that time. Just hope for the best. Especially they said even with chemo they need to do surgery as well because of the hernia
Brief Answer:
detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
It all depends form the histological type of stomach cancer ,the grade of malignancy ,the localization of the tumor and the spread.
The guidelines recommend the termination of the pregnancy ,when the cancer is diagnosed in early pregnancy to allow an optimal and aggressive treatment of the cancer.Of course the decision is made taking in consideration the opinion and will of the parents.It is possible to keep the baby and to use chemotherapeutic drugs that won"t affect the baby but this will complicate the situation of the mother.If the tumor is a high grade malignancy ,it requires immediate aggressive treatment.It can't wait until the baby is born.
The decision depends on the above characteristics and her doctors will give you a more appropriate answer considering all these factors.
Take care.
Dr.Rovena
detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
It all depends form the histological type of stomach cancer ,the grade of malignancy ,the localization of the tumor and the spread.
The guidelines recommend the termination of the pregnancy ,when the cancer is diagnosed in early pregnancy to allow an optimal and aggressive treatment of the cancer.Of course the decision is made taking in consideration the opinion and will of the parents.It is possible to keep the baby and to use chemotherapeutic drugs that won"t affect the baby but this will complicate the situation of the mother.If the tumor is a high grade malignancy ,it requires immediate aggressive treatment.It can't wait until the baby is born.
The decision depends on the above characteristics and her doctors will give you a more appropriate answer considering all these factors.
Take care.
Dr.Rovena
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I uploaded a picture. They told her chemo m surgery is required
Brief Answer:
detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
I saw the picture you sent.It is a test that evaluates the esophagus ,the contractions of the muscles (peristaltic waves ) and the pressure of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) but In order to give you a judgement ,the whole examination and the description of the result would be necessary.
A biopsy of the stomach lesion would tell the grade of malignancy and other examinations would tell the stage of the disease (if it is spread or localized).
Since surgery is recommended ,it indicates that the disease is still localized and can be removed through surgery (so it is in early stage).
Since the condition is in early stage ,it requires an aggressive approach to fully treat it.This would predict a very difficult pregnancy but still the decision is up to her doctors and her.
Take care.
Dr.Rovena
detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
I saw the picture you sent.It is a test that evaluates the esophagus ,the contractions of the muscles (peristaltic waves ) and the pressure of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) but In order to give you a judgement ,the whole examination and the description of the result would be necessary.
A biopsy of the stomach lesion would tell the grade of malignancy and other examinations would tell the stage of the disease (if it is spread or localized).
Since surgery is recommended ,it indicates that the disease is still localized and can be removed through surgery (so it is in early stage).
Since the condition is in early stage ,it requires an aggressive approach to fully treat it.This would predict a very difficult pregnancy but still the decision is up to her doctors and her.
Take care.
Dr.Rovena
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
