Review: breast cancer and pregnancy

Abstract

With an incidence of 0.3-1 per 10,000 pregnancies, breast cancer is the second most common malignant disease (after cervical cancer) associated with pregnancy. Because evidence-based data are lacking, current recommendations derive from nonrandomized experiences. We reviewed the current literature on breast cancer during pregnancy and pregnancy-associated breast cancer. The diagnosis of breast cancer during pregnancy is often made at an advanced stage with limited prognosis. With a few limitations, surgery and chemotherapy can be performed during pregnancy, whereas radiotherapy should be postponed until after delivery. Reports of endocrine treatment during pregnancy are rare and disappointing, but it should be applied after delivery in estrogen/progesterone-receptorpositive cases. Breast cancer during pregnancy remains a multidisciplinary challenge in both therapeutic and ethical aspects. Because experience and guidelines are lacking, individual decisions after intensive discussions with the pregnant patient are necessary.

Dilemmas in Therapy of Gestational Breast Cancer: Review of Literature

“…It is understandable that positions about therapeutic models are changes today comparing to historical ones, when it was thought that breast cancer and pregnancy are worst possible and practically incurable coincidence, and therefore an indication for abortion [5 -7]. Treatment of GBC must be carried out multidisciplinary in specialized facilities [4,8,9]. The process must include specialists of abundant experience in treating this disease, as well as experienced obstetrician [10].…”

“…Effects and type of recommended therapy will be directly dependent on stage of disease and pregnancy [11]. Is considered that GBC patients have poorer prognosis than non pregnant patients, mostly since GBC is presented in advanced stage [4]. Despite that, comparing patients with equal stage, prognosis is very similar [12].…”