Use of tumor treating fields for a malignant brain tumor in a pregnant woman: Case report

Introduction: Brain tumors diagnosed during pregnancy are exceptionally rare, and their clinical progression is not yet fully understood. Managing intracranial tumors during pregnancy necessitates a specialized approach, balancing neuro-oncological considerations with obstetric concerns to evaluate therapeutic options effectively.Tumor Treating Fields (TTF) therapy is a non-invasive, regionally-applied, anti-cancer treatment modality approved for adults with newly diagnosed and recurrent glioblastoma. To date, there is no data on the safety and efficacy of TTF therapy in pregnant patients harbouring malignant brain tumors. Research question: To describe a case of TTF-use during pregnancy and provide a first insight into its feasibility. Materials and methods: We describe the first reported case of a pregnant women treated with TTF. Medical records and imaging data were analysed. Relevant literature concerning the management of malignant brain tumors in pregnancy was reviewed. Results: The patient diagnosed with a posterior fossa high-grade anaplastic ganglioglioma (CNS WHO grade 3-4) received surgical resection followed by radiotherapy with fetal shielding combined with TTF therapy during pregnancy. Discussion and conclusion: Since TTF therapy represents a topical treatment without systemic application, we suggest it as a feasible option for pregnant patients diagnosed with malignant brain tumors.