Pregnancy increases the growth rates of World Health Organization grade II gliomas

Ann Neurol. 2010 Mar;67(3):398-404. doi: 10.1002/ana.21888.

Abstract

Twelve pregnancies in 11 adult women harboring World Health Organization (WHO) grade II gliomas (GIIGs) prior to pregnancy were reviewed to address whether pregnancy affects tumor growth using a quantitative approach of the radiological velocity of diametric expansion (VDE) on successive magnetic resonance images. VDE was significantly increased during pregnancy as compared to prepregnancy (p < 0.001) and to postdelivery (p = 0.012) periods. Pregnancy increases the radiological growth rates of GIIGs. An increase in seizure frequency was observed concomitantly in 40% of cases and further oncological treatment was started after delivery in 25% of cases.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Astrocytoma / pathology
  • Astrocytoma / physiopathology
  • Brain / pathology*
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Brain Neoplasms / classification
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Brain Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Glioma / classification
  • Glioma / pathology*
  • Glioma / physiopathology
  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones / metabolism
  • Growth Hormone / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / pathology*
  • Oligodendroglioma / pathology
  • Oligodendroglioma / physiopathology
  • Placenta / metabolism
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / pathology*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / physiopathology
  • Seizures / etiology
  • Seizures / physiopathology
  • World Health Organization
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Gonadal Steroid Hormones
  • Growth Hormone