Cancer during pregnancy: an analysis of 215 patients emphasizing the obstetrical and the neonatal outcomes.

K. Van Calsteren, L. Heyns, F. de Smet, L. Van Eycken, M.M. Gziri, W. van Gemert, M. Halaska, I. Vergote, N. Ottevanger, F. Amant*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

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.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)683-689
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology
Volume28
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2010

Keywords

  • CHEMOTHERAPY IN-UTERO
  • BREAST-CANCER
  • PRETERM BIRTH
  • CHILDREN
  • STRESS
  • LABOR
  • MALIGNANCY
  • MEMBRANES
  • DELAY

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