Clinical aspects of diagnostics and systemic treatment of malignancies during pregnancy

Abstract

The coincidence of malignant disease during pregnancy is uncommon. Today, the incidence of cancer in pregnancy has increased, due to the tendency to postpone childbirth to an older age. Making cancer therapy decision in pregnant women both disease and pregnancy advancement should be considered. In all cases fetal saving as well as mother’s fertility preservation are of great importance. Because of mutagenic effect the use of chemotherapy during the first trimester is contraindicated. Recently, increasing number of studies evaluated in selected pregnant women the use of chemotherapy after organogenesis, however the long-term consequences for children exposed to intra-uterine chemotherapy is not fully determined. The potential risks and benefits of such therapy still have to be cautiously weighted. Hormone therapy increases the risk of spontaneous abortion and during pregnancy is contraindicated. No sufficient data about the use of many form of targeted therapy for pregnant women with cancer are available so far.