Pregnant mother diagnosed with cancer: "I will be strong to live and raise my child"

(Dan Tri) - While happily waiting for her child, the mother received a great shock when she was diagnosed with colon cancer. From here, the patient entered a journey of tears, anxiety and the strength of maternal love.

Ms. M. at the hospital (Photo: BV).

Gia Dinh People's Hospital (HCMC) has just successfully performed a special surgery: a cesarean section at 32 weeks, and removal of the colon segment containing a malignant tumor for the mother.

Previously, in mid-July, Ms. VHM (34 years old, residing in Thong Tay Hoi ward, Ho Chi Minh City) was hospitalized with bloody mucus stools.

The examination results showed that she had a large tumor causing a narrowing of the colon, and a biopsy confirmed that it was malignant. The bad news shocked her deeply, but thanks to the encouragement of her family and doctors, she was determined to keep her baby.

Doctors from the Department of Gastroenterology have coordinated with the Department of Obstetrics and Neonatal Pathology to develop a treatment plan: maintain the pregnancy until 32-34 weeks if the mother has no signs of intestinal obstruction, but always be ready for emergency surgery.

During the monitoring period, the mother received comprehensive care, using corticosteroids to help the fetus mature its lungs and magnesium sulfate to protect the brain before birth.

At the 32nd week of pregnancy, the team performed a cesarean section combined with resection of a 10cm long colon segment containing the tumor. The surgery lasted nearly 2 hours, the baby was born safely, and the mother had the tumor completely removed. After a week, Ms. M. recovered well and was discharged from the hospital to continue cancer treatment. The premature baby boy was also weaned off oxygen, practiced breastfeeding, and was ready to go home.

After a period of special care, Ms. M's baby boy's health has stabilized (Photo: Hospital).

“The moment I heard my child cry, I felt empowered. I will try to live to raise my child,” Ms. M. emotionally shared.

According to Dr. Hua Thi Chi, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, colon cancer in pregnant women is a rare disease, only about 1/13,000-1/50,000 pregnancies. Symptoms are often easily confused with physiological changes during pregnancy, so diagnosis is delayed.

“This case was a huge challenge, but the success was thanks to multidisciplinary coordination and the mother's determination,” Dr. Chi emphasized.

Doctors recommend that pregnant women who have signs of digestive abnormalities such as bloody mucus in stool, dull abdominal pain, prolonged constipation, anemia, weight loss, etc. should see a doctor early for timely diagnosis and treatment to protect both mother and fetus.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/suc-khoe/nguoi-me-mang-thai-thi-phat-hien-ung-thu-toi-se-manh-me-song-va-nuoi-con-20250822133837228.htm