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Forum > Other Therapies and Procedures: Other Therapies And Procedures

Laser therapy and pregnancy

CCoPE
Date: 2001-03-25

Question:
I was recently diagnosed with having a severe grade 2/3 precancer lesion in my cervix. I was scheduled for laser surgery but have just found out I'm about 1 month pregnant. Is it generally safe to wait the term of the pregnancy before receiving treatment? Can surgery be done at anytime throughout the pregnancy?

Answer:
The following information should not replace the assessment and advice you have been receiving from your physician (cancer specialist, obstetrician, or any other healthcare provider). It is offered for your information only

There are several different answers to your question:

1. There is no contra-indication for laser therapy in pregnancy if needed.

2. The down side: There might be more bleeding.

3. The positive side: The cervical canal tends to evert in pregnancy and it is less likely to miss cancer.

4. The patient needs a colposcopy (looking through a special magnifying glass at the cervix) prior to laser surgery. It is best performed by an experienced gynecological onclogist. There may be a need for biopsy from suspicious areas. It is better to have an experienced sub-specialist as they know best which areas to biopsy and may eliminate the need for unnecessary biopsy.

5. These issues and the pregnancy itself should be discussed with the patient,obstetrician/gynecologist.

6. The risk from any of these procedure in pre-malignant state to the pregnancy is minimal if at all.

More data is needed for more detailed answer.

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