Primary brain tumours, meningiomas and brain metastases in pregnancy: report on 27 cases and review of literature

Background The concurrence of intracranial tumours with pregnancy is rare. The purpose of this study was to describe all reported patients registered in the international Cancer in Pregnancy registration study (CIP study; http://www.cancerinpregnancy.org), and to review the literature in order to obtain better insight into outcome and possibilities of treatment in pregnancy. Methods We collected all intracranial tumours (primary brain tumour, cerebral metastasis, or meningioma) diagnosed during pregnancy, registered prospectively and retrospectively by international collaboration since 1973. Patients diagnosed postpartum were excluded. We summarised the demographic features, treatment decisions, obstetrical and neonatal outcomes. Results The mean age of the 27 eligible patients was 31 years (range 23-41 years), of which 13 and 12 patients were diagnosed in the second and third trimesters, respectively. Eight patients (30%) underwent brain surgery, seven patients (26%) had radiotherapy ...