Carcinoma of the breast during pregnancy: a review and update on treatmentoptions

Gestational breast cancer is occurring with increasing incidence because mo re women are delaying childbirth into their thirties and forties. Although breast cancer during pregnancy or within the first year postpartum is occur ring more often, there is still some confusion regarding its treatment. Alt hough breast conservation therapy has evolved as the major treatment in bre ast cancer, it has been thought that pregnancy was a contraindication for t his type of breast cancer therapy due to risks imposed on the fetus by chem otherapy and radiation. However, recent studies have shown that the use of chemotherapeutics during the second and third trimesters is possible. Also, if chemotherapy is initiated after a lumpectomy, radiation can be withheld until after the birth of the baby when the cancer is detected in the secon d or third trimester. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All right s reserved.