Brain and Medullary Tumors in Pregnancy (23 Cases)

This study has been achieved to establish the indications of surgical intervention at the appropriate gestational duration for brain and medullary tumors in pregnant women and to evaluate any correlation between gestational hormones and the rate of occurring or rate of growth of brain or medullary tumors. In our retrospective study since 1999 to 2005, 1027 patients who had been admitted and operated in neurosurgical centers were determined. The female patients who were in fertility age were selected and statistical analysis with descriptive methods and Chi-Square test was done in patients who had intracranial or intraspinal tumors or their neurological findings were accelerated. Then we compared our results with other studies. From 1027 patients in our study with brain or medullary tumors, 23 patients were pregnant. 17 cases had intracranial and 6 cases had intraspinal tumors. 52.9% of brain tumors and 50% of intraspinal tumors in our study were meningioma. Most of patients in our study were operated after delivery and results were good in almost all of patients. A decision for best management and treatment is different in pregnant patients with intracranial or intraspinal tumors. This study indicated that the rate of intracranial and intraspinal tumors, specially meningioma, or accelerated rate of neurological findings are probably because of hormonal receptors specially progesterone receptors. If the patient’s condition worsens, the tumor should be excised as soon as possible but if the neurological condition of patients is stable, it would be rather the operation is achieved after delivery.