BREAST CANCER IN PREGNANCY. LITERATURE REVIEW

  • Saulė Kržčonavičiūtė LSMU Medicinos akademija
  • Vytautas Abraitis LSMU MA Akušerijos ir ginekologijos klinika
  • Elona Juozaitytė LSMU MA Onkologijos ir hematologijos klinika
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37499/LAG.769
Keywords: breast cancer, preganancy, breast cancer treatment

Abstract

The aim: to discuss pregnancy-related breast cancer and its infulence on pregnancy. Research method: literature review was conducted using PubMed database. Results: The most sensitive diagnostic method is an ultrasound examination. Mass biopsy is the gold standard for breast cancer diagnosis. The treatment of breast cancer during pregnancy is a sensitive topic that requires a consequent discussion. The first choice treatment for early-diagnosed breast cancer patients is surgery. Chemotherapy is only used after 1st trimester due to the high risk of fetal malformations. Breast cancer is related to a risk of indirect complications: chemotherapy-treated patients are associated with a risk of preterm birth. Conclusions. Ultrasound is the first-line diagnostic tool, however, mammography and MRI are also recommended in some cases. The main treatment options for pregnancy related breast cancer are surgery, chemotherapy (after 1st trimester) and hormonal therapy (postpartum). Radiotherapy is not recommended during the pregnancy and especially during 3rd trimester due to decreasing distance between breast and uterus.

Published
2021-12-22
Issue
Vol 24 No 4 (2021)
Section
Continuous education