Breast cancer and related pregnancy: suggested management according to stages of the disease and gestational stages

Abstract

This review presents guidelines for diagnosis, staging and management of breast cancer and pregnancy in order to help update the physician in making informed decisions. A number of controversies about the management of breast carcinoma and pregnancy produces uncertainties for treating physicians and their patients and the published advice on its management is somewhat conflicting. The various modalities used for screening diagnosis and staging of breast cancer, as well as therapy, are not always applicable during pregnancy. The main goal of this article is to offer to the pregnant woman diagnosed with breast cancer the optimal therapeutic modalities, while protecting the unborn fetus of immediate and late deleterious effects of radiation and chemotherapy. The management of both breast cancer and concurrent and subsequent pregnancy in an attempt to update the treating physicians in making informed decisions in diagnosis and therapy are reviewed. Suggested guidelines for diagnosis, staging and management of breast cancer and pregnancy, according to stages of the disease and gestational stages are outlined. They are based on the understanding of current literature and our clinical and research experience in the diagnosis and therapy of breast cancer and pregnancy.