Breast cancer diagnosis during pregnancy

Womens Health (Lond). 2009 May;5(3):243-9. doi: 10.2217/whe.09.2.

Abstract

Breast cancer diagnosed during pregnancy is a challenging situation for the patient and her medical team. As women are delaying childbirth, the incidence is expected to increase. Most of the data surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of cancer during pregnancy is in case reports and small cohort studies. However, the data continues to expand regarding the safety of systemic treatments during the second and third trimesters for both the mother and the fetus. In this article, the use of diagnostic imaging, procedures, surgery and chemotherapy are reviewed as well as prognosis and future pregnancies after the treatment for breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Breast Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / diagnosis*
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / therapy*
  • Pregnancy Trimesters / drug effects
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Factors