Gerson R, Serrano A, Flores VF, Villalobos A

Language: Spanish
References: 11
Page: 29-32
PDF size: 79.00 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Breast cancer might occur in one of every one thousand pregnancies. This association has an incidence from 0.2 to 3%. It is considered when it develops during pregnancy and in the first year after delivery. Traditionally this association has been considered an adverse prognostic factor, since usually these patients have larger tumor and frequency of positive metastatic axillary nodes, as opposed to those who have breast cancer and are not pregnant. It is estimated that breast cancer associated with pregnancy increased the likelihood of to death 3.26 times. Treatment decision is based on the stage of the disease in accordance to that of a nonpregnant woman. Multiple anti-tumoral drugs, surch as 5FU, adriamycin, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and taxanes have been used for treatment. Physiological changes that occur during pregnancy affect the distribution and elimination of these agents, potentially modifying efficacy and/or toxicity. Depending on the gestational age, administration of chemotherapy could produce secondary effects in the product, abortion, malformation, and delayed effects. It is necessary for oncologists facing this situation to carefully and individually evaluate each case, to fully understand the pharmacological behavior of each drug, and to communicate benefits and risks involved for the mother, her partner, and their families about the effects to the mother and product. Hospitals should include an ethics committee to help physicians, patients, and relatives choose the best therapeutic option.

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