Thyroid cancer in pregnancy: a report of 3 cases.

BACKGROUND

Thyroid cancer in pregnancy presents a unique challenge to the thyroid specialist and the obstetrician. We report 3 cases of thyroid cancer diagnosed during pregnancy.

CASES

Three cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma were diagnosed during pregnancy, at the 14th, 19th and 40th weeks of gestation. The first 2 cases underwent thyroidectomy immediately after the diagnosis, while in the third the operation was deferred until the postpartum period. All 3 women delivered healthy infants, who were 2 months to 8 years of age at the last follow-up visit.

CONCLUSION

If well-differentiated thyroid cancer is diagnosed prior to the midtrimester, it is possible to carry out the surgical intervention in the midtrimester. During late pregnancy, resection after delivery is the option of choice. There is no indication for termination of pregnancy.