TREATING BREAST-CANCER DURING PREGNANCY - WHAT CAN BE TAKEN SAFELY

The occurrence of breast cancer during pregnancy is a rare clinical si tuation. However, if it is diagnosed, a multidisciplinary approach inv olving an obstetrician, a medical oncologist and a surgeon is needed. In this situation, breast cancer should be treated according to the sa me principles applied in nonpregnant patients. Termination of pregnanc y does not improve survival. Decisions regarding abortion should be ba sed on The desires of the patient and on therapeutic necessities. If r equired, surgery is always possible: but radiation therapy should be a voided because of the risk of fetal toxicity. Antineoplastic drug ther apy, if indicated, is possible after the first trimester.