Factors Associated With Long-term Survival in Women Who Get Pregnant After Surgery for WHO Grade II Glioma

Background and ObjectivesWomen with a World Health Organization grade II glioma (GIIG) often question clinicians about the effects of pregnancy on their disease. Previous reports have indicated a higher risk of glioma progression during and after pregnancy. Here, the aim was to investigate postpregnancy outcomes and predictive factors affecting overall survival in female patients who underwent GIIG surgery.MethodsInclusion criteria were adult women who have been pregnant after a GIIG resection and with a stable oncologic status at the time of pregnancy (no ongoing oncologic treatment, no contrast enhancement, no debilitating clinical condition). Relevant cases were identified from a databank (1998–2021) of patients who underwent surgical resection for a histologically confirmed GIIG in our department.ResultsAmong 345 women with GIIG in their reproductive years (age p = 0.046 and p = 0.0026, respectively).DiscussionTumor residual volume and tumor speed growth are strong predictive factors conditioning postpregnancy long-term survival in patients with GIIG. Identifying patients at risk is critical to provide relevant counsel to women with GIIG with a desire for motherhood.