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Tumors and Pregnancy
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Pregnancy Reproduction

Tumors and Pregnancy

While tumors during pregnancy are rare, they can occur; understanding the distinction between benign and malignant growths is essential for determining safe treatment options.

Overview

Tumors during pregnancy are rare but possible. These growths can be classified as either benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). While cancer itself rarely harms the fetus, specific treatments may be safe during pregnancy. Your health care provider will work with you to determine the best course of action based on:

  • How far along the pregnancy is
  • The type, size, and stage of the cancer

Common Cancers in Pregnancy

The most common cancers diagnosed during pregnancy include:

  • Breast cancer
  • Thyroid cancer
  • Cervical cancer
  • Lymphoma
  • Melanoma

Gestational Trophoblastic Disease (GTD)

Another type of tumor that can affect women is gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD). This condition occurs when a fertilized egg does not develop into a fetus. GTD is not always easy to detect and is usually benign, though some types can be malignant.

Molar Pregnancy

The most common type of GTD is a molar pregnancy. In its early stages, it may appear like a normal pregnancy. If you experience vaginal bleeding that is not menstrual bleeding, you should see your provider.

Treatment & Management

Treatment plans depend on several factors, including:

  • The type of tumor
  • Whether the tumor has spread to other areas
  • Your overall health

Frequently Asked Questions

While early symptoms may mimic normal pregnancy, a molar pregnancy often causes severe, dark brown to bright red vaginal bleeding in the first trimester, rapid uterine enlargement that is disproportionate to gestational age, extreme nausea and vomiting (hyperemesis gravidarum), passage of grape-like tissue cysts, and unusually high human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels.
Treatment safety depends entirely on gestational age and cancer type. Chemotherapy is strictly avoided during the first trimester due to the risk of birth defects, but certain standard chemotherapy regimens can be safely administered during the second and third trimesters without harming fetal development. Radiation therapy is typically deferred until after delivery because of fetal scatter risks, though surgery to remove a tumor can often be performed safely during the second trimester.
Cesarean delivery is not automatically required for patients with a tumor or cancer. Vaginal delivery is often safe and preferred unless there is an obstetrical indication, a pelvic tumor obstructing the birth canal, or cervical cancer, where vaginal delivery can risk severe hemorrhage or tumor cell implantation. Delivery timing is coordinated closely with oncology to align with maternal blood cell count recovery following chemotherapy.
Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) without contrast agents are the preferred imaging methods because they do not expose the fetus to ionizing radiation. When necessary, chest X-rays or targeted CT scans can be performed with abdominal lead shielding. The radiation dose from a single diagnostic scan is generally far below the threshold that causes fetal harm, but contrast agents like gadolinium are avoided unless strictly essential.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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