Onkologie. 2020:14(2):82-84 | DOI: 10.36290/xon.2020.014

Oncological treatment in pregnancy

Michael Halaška

Gynekologicko-porodnická klinika Fakultní nemocnice Královské Vinohrady a 3. LF UK v Praze

When a malignant disease is diagnosed in pregnancy, oncological treatment must be considered depending on the stage of the disease, gestational age, and the patient's wish regarding maintaining the pregnancy. The goal is not to terminate pregnancy immediately but, instead, to perform appropriate staging workup and only then to suggest a possible strategy within the context of a multidisciplinary team, with an effort made to follow standard procedures to the greatest extent possible. Preoperative examination as well as specific features of pregnancy are described in detail in the previous chapter called Diagnosis and staging of cancer in pregnancy. An effort is made to always inform the patient along with her partner since social background often plays an important role in determining whether to continue or terminate pregnancy. In many cases, it is possible to initiate treatment even during the course of pregnancy with an effort to maintain the pregnancy. If this is the case, several modalities are available. In terms of therapeutic options, the second trimester is of most interest when surgical treatment, chemotherapy and, in some cases, radiotherapy can be combined. The goal is to always attempt to bring the pregnancy, as much as possible, to full term and not to terminate it prematurely.

Keywords: pregnancy, chemotherapy, operating therapy, radiotherapy.

Published: June 2, 2020  Show citation