Onkológia 1/2022

Breast cancer during pregnancy and lactacion

Breast cancer is the second most common malignancy diagnosed in pregnancy, after malignant melanoma. It occurs in approximately in 1 of 3,000 pregnant women. It’s considered to be a rare diagnosis, but an increase in incidence has been observed in recent years, probably due to the trend of postponing pregnancy and childbirth. The average age of women at the time of diagnosis is 32 to 38 years, and the most common risk factors are germline mutations, especially BRCA. There is no evidence that abortion affects the patient’s prognosis; on the contrary, early diagnosis and initiation of treatment is crucial. The diagnostic process as well as the treatment have their specifics. In this article, we provide an overview of current recommendations for diagnosis, treatment, obstetrics and neonatal care. Patient management requires a multidisciplinary approach, ideally in a specialized centre with experience in treatment during pregnancy. Mothers often require emotional support.

Keywords: breast cancer, pregnancy, breastfeeding, chemotherapy