New mum’s astonishing tale of survival after pregnancy discovery threatened the life of both her and the baby

A young mother had no idea that she had a life-threatening 5 kg tumor until a few days before she gave birth.

Emily Wiles, 28, was 30 weeks pregnant when she started experiencing cramps that worsened over several weeks.

She went to the Brisbane Mater Hospital when she was 33 weeks pregnant and had an ultrasound scan that revealed a devastating diagnosis: a growth on her ovaries.

“We were shocked that there was a tumor growing next to the baby all the time,” said Mrs. Wiles’ husband, Luke.

The best plan of action for the expectant mother was to undergo a cesarean section and at the same time undergo surgery to remove the growth.

Doctors then found the astonishing 5 kg tumor.

Unfortunately, the growth was of the hypercalcemic type – one of the most dangerous forms of ovarian cancer.

“If I hadn’t been pregnant I would have associated the symptoms with menstruation – cramps, strange bowel movements – and that really scares me,” Ms Wiles said.

Fortunately, baby Eli was born safe and sound, albeit seven weeks early.

His early birth was more of a health problem than growing next to a tumor.

‘Cancer rarely affects the baby or crosses the placenta – the biggest risk to the baby in the womb is that the mother is unwell,’ says Dr Sarah Janssens of the Mater Mothers’ Hospital.

He weighed 2.3kg and received specialist care in hospital before returning home to adjust to life with his mother, father and brother.

Since giving birth, Ms Wiles has been undergoing chemotherapy and will undergo a stem cell transplant as her doctors ‘throw the book’ in her battle against ovarian cancer.

“The evidence we have suggests that very aggressive treatments provide the best patient outcome and survival,” said Dr. Catherine Shannon, senior medical oncologist at the Mater Cancer Care Center.

Emily Wiles and baby at Brisbane’s Mater Hospital after a 5kg tumor was removed from her ovaries.

Ms. Wiles’ type of ovarian cancer is extremely rare.

Only one in 10,000 women diagnosed with the disease will have this subtype.

“The symptoms of ovarian cancer are similar across all subtypes,” says Dr Rhett Morton, gynecological oncologist at Mater Hospital Brisbane.

‘These are often non-specific abdominal or pelvic complaints that are only noticed when the tumor growth is advanced and that can often be attributed to other conditions.’

February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.

In 2022, approximately 1300 Australian women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

It is the deadliest gynecological cancer, with a five-year survival rate of 49 percent.

Women who experience common symptoms such as bloating, eating less and feeling fuller, abdominal pain and bladder problems should see a doctor.