Cancer During Pregnancy: An Analysis of 215 Patients Emphasizing the Obstetrical and the Neonatal Outcomes [Gynecologic Cancer]

This weeks JCO -

An interesting report on outcomes for patients treated for malignancy with surgery, chemotherapy, and or radiation. The numbers are small for radiation; largely the focus is on cytotoxic treatments. The data however is invaluable to clinicians and patients that find themselves in this challenging situation.

Link and Abstract.

Cancer During Pregnancy: An Analysis of 215 Patients Emphasizing the Obstetrical and the Neonatal Outcomes [Gynecologic Cancer]: "Purpose

The aim of this study was to assess the management and the obstetrical and neonatal outcomes of pregnancies complicated by cancer.

Patients and Methods

In an international collaborative setting, patients with invasive cancer diagnosed during pregnancy between 1998 and 2008 were identified. Clinical data regarding the cancer diagnosis and treatment and the obstetric and neonatal outcomes were collected and analyzed.

Results

Of 215 patients, five (2.3%) had a pregnancy that ended in a spontaneous miscarriage and 30 (14.0%) pregnancies were interrupted. Treatment was initiated during pregnancy in 122 (56.7%) patients and postpartum in 58 (27.0%) patients. The most frequently encountered cancer types were breast cancer (46%), hematologic malignancies (18%), and dermatologic malignancies (10%). The mean gestational age at delivery was 36.3 ± 2.9 weeks. Delivery was induced in 71.7% of pregnancies, and 54.2% of children were born preterm. In the group of patients prenatally exposed to cytotoxic treatment, the prevalence of preterm labor was increased (11.8%; P = .012). Furthermore, in this group a higher proportion of small-for-gestational-age children (birth weight below 10th percentile) was observed (24.2%; P = .001). Of all neonates, 51.2% were admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit, mainly (85.2%) because of prematurity. There was no increased incidence of congenital malformations.

Conclusion

Pregnant cancer patients should be treated in a multidisciplinary setting with access to maternal and neonatal intensive care units. Prevention of iatrogenic prematurity appears to be an important part of the treatment strategy."