cervical adenocarcinoma and intestinal obstruction in pregnancy: a case report

Cervical cancer during pregnancy is rare and often linked to hpv infection, especially types 16 and 18. a 24-year-old woman at 27/28 weeks gestation presented with abdominal pain and inability to pass gas for four days. examination revealed a friable, bleeding cervix with parametrial involvement and palpable rectal nodules. imaging showed a large cervical lesion extending to the parametrium and intestinal obstruction. the pregnancy was terminated by cesarean section, delivering an 1100-gram infant. during surgery, bowel dilation and decompression were performed. risk factors included early marriage and lack of hpv vaccination. the disease progressed rapidly to stage iv-a cervical adenocarcinoma with suspected rectal metastasis. the patient was planned for chemoradiation after delivery. this case highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges of cervical cancer in pregnancy, where intestinal obstruction may signal advanced disease, and treatment must balance cancer stage, gestational age, and patient preference.