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

## TL;DR

This case report describes the first use of Tumor Treating Fields (TTF) therapy in a pregnant woman with a malignant brain tumor, suggesting it as a feasible treatment option.

## Contribution

The paper presents the first documented case of TTF therapy use in a pregnant patient with a malignant brain tumor.

## Key findings

- TTF therapy was used alongside radiotherapy and fetal shielding in a pregnant patient with a high-grade brain tumor.
- TTF therapy is suggested as a feasible treatment option for pregnant patients due to its non-systemic mode of action.
- The case highlights the unique challenges of managing malignant brain tumors during pregnancy.

## Abstract

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.

To describe a case of TTF-use during pregnancy and provide a first insight into its feasibility.

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.

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.

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.

•Malignant brain tumors diagnosed during pregnancy pose unique challenges.•Tumor-treating fields (TTF) offer a possible treatment option among limited alternatives.•We present the first reported use of TTF in a pregnant patient.

Malignant brain tumors diagnosed during pregnancy pose unique challenges.

Tumor-treating fields (TTF) offer a possible treatment option among limited alternatives.

We present the first reported use of TTF in a pregnant patient.