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Breast cancer in pregnancy: a literature review

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Abstract

Purpose

Breast cancer in pregnancy is a clinically challenging situation for patients and their physicians. A review of the literature was performed to help identify optimal treatment strategies.

Methods

A Medline search between 1966 to the present using the keywords “breast”, “carcinoma”, and “pregnancy” revealed numerous hits, from which English-language articles including epidemiologic studies, case series, and general summaries were reviewed.

Results

There is a paucity of prospective studies regarding diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in pregnancy due to its rarity. However a general review of the literature database reveals that women diagnosed with breast cancer during pregnancy have similar disease characteristics to age-matched controls. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment of breast cancer during pregnancy, and in some circumstances breast-conserving surgery is an acceptable option. Adjuvant treatment can proceed with some modifications that minimize harm to the fetus, namely limiting radiation exposure and timing chemotherapy properly. Post-partum decisions regarding lactation and future fertility should be addressed on a per-patient basis.

Conclusion

Breast cancer in pregnancy is an uncommon phenomenon but one which poses dilemmas for patients and their physicians. A multi-disciplinary approach is recommended for optimal clinical-decision making.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Oncology, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada

    Andrea Molckovsky & Yolanda Madarnas

  2. Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario, Kingston General Hospital, 25 King St. W, Kingston, ON, Canada, K7L 5P9

    Yolanda Madarnas

Authors
  1. Andrea Molckovsky
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  2. Yolanda Madarnas
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Correspondence to Yolanda Madarnas.

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Molckovsky, A., Madarnas, Y. Breast cancer in pregnancy: a literature review. Breast Cancer Res Treat 108, 333–338 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-007-9616-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10549-007-9616-6

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