©Pregnancy bliss 2008

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In the first half of pregnancy, if the treatment of choice for the cancer is radiotherapy, the fetus is very unlikely to survive; even less so if the cancer is in the pelvic cavity or abdomen.

 

If chemotherapy is the chosen treatment, this is usually safe for the fetus, provided that the pregnancy has gone past the crucial first twelve weeks during which the fetus's body organs are formed.

 

Chemotherapy used in the last 25 weeks of pregnancy is unlikely to cause developmental fetal abnormalities.

 

If surgery is the treatment of choice, the fetus is usually safe, provided the operation is not on the womb itself.

 

Often, treatment takes a combination of all three modalities and that can adversely affect the prospects of the baby.

 

Effect of pregnancy on rate of cancer growth

Only one type of cancer - malignant melanoma - has ever been reported to show features of increased aggressiveness during pregnancy. Malignant melanoma is a relatively rare form of skin cancer. It can also arise in the eye.                                                       

Other forms of cancer behave the same, regardless of pregnancy.

 

Breast Cancer and pregnancy

 

Diagnosing breast cancer in pregnancy

Experience shows that it is actually more difficult to diagnose breast cancer during pregnancy. Because of the natural changes to the breast that come with pregnancy, small abnormal breast lumps are that little bit more difficult to detect. As a result, diagnosis tends to be late, which consequently substantially reduces the chances of the mother's survival.

 

Pregnancy termination after diagnosis of breast cancer

Termination of pregnancy does not influence the course of the disease one way or the other:

If radiotherapy is the chosen form of treatment, then the mother will miscarry anyway.

 

If treatment is surgery only or surgery and chemotherapy, there is no point in terminating the pregnancy.

 

The various aspects of the disease will be assessed in each particular patient before she is advised on the options.

 

In advanced disease, mercifully rare, where cure is unrealistic, the woman may choose a form of treatment which ensures palliation, as well as continuation of pregnancy.

 

Breast cancer and breast-feeding

There is no evidence that breast-feeding will have any adverse effect either on the mother or baby. This is regardless of whether she is on chemotherapy or not.

 

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