Pregnancy and Breast Cancer

One of the most clinically challenging and personally heart-wrenching situations occurs when confronting a pregnant woman with a new diagnosis of cancer. Though uncommon, breast cancer in pregnancy accounts for up to 3% of all new breast cancer diagnoses. Optimal management can be complicated by limitations on the types of imaging, systemic therapy, and radiation therapy that can be administered without teratogenic effects on the fetus. Consequently, some patients consider terminating the pregnancy. However, with a team of experienced breast cancer specialists (medical oncologist, surgeon, and radiation oncologist), most pregnant patients with early-stage disease can be managed without compromising either the pregnancy or the prognosis of t…