RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Challenges to diagnosing colorectal cancer during pregnancy
JF Canadian Family Physician
JO Can Fam Physician
FD The College of Family Physicians of Canada
SP 881
OP 885
VO 55
IS 9
A1 Mohammad Yaghoobi
A1 Gideon Koren
A1 Irena Nulman
YR 2009
UL http://www.cfp.ca/content/55/9/881.abstract
AB QUESTION My patient is 13 weeks pregnant and has experienced rectal bleeding and vomiting. Should I send her for a colonoscopy to rule out colorectal malignancies or should I wait until after delivery? ANSWER The data on colorectal cancer in pregnancy are scarce; however, as the presenting features of colorectal cancer overlap with those of pregnancy itself, there is a risk of development of advanced disease, with poorer prognosis at diagnosis. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that this patient, who is in her second trimester, undergo at least a flexible sigmoidoscopy, which is presumed safe during pregnancy, with or without a liver ultrasound and carcinoembryonic antigen detection based on pretest probability according to her other risk factors.