A review recently published in OncoTargets and Therapy highlighted how breast cancer can be treated more safely and effectively during pregnancy than ever before.
The authors reviewed evolving evidence published within the past 10 years on how timing within pregnancy influences treatment decisions and outcomes for both mother and baby.
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers diagnosed during pregnancy, although it remains relatively rare overall. Historically, treatment options were limited due to concerns about harming the fetus, often leading to delayed therapy. However, growing evidence now shows that many standard cancer treatments can be adapted safely depending on the trimester.
Researchers noted that surgery remains the cornerstone of treatment and can generally be performed at any stage of pregnancy. Both mastectomy and breast-conserving surgery were found to be feasible, with anesthesia and surgical risks comparable to those in nonpregnant women when managed by experienced multidisciplinary teams.
Chemotherapy, once considered too dangerous during pregnancy, is now increasingly used in the second and third trimesters. The study highlights that several commonly used chemotherapy regimens do not appear to significantly increase the risk of birth defects when administered after the first trimester, when fetal organ development is largely complete. Careful monitoring of fetal growth and timing of delivery remain essential parts of care.
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Radiation therapy, targeted therapies and hormone treatments, however, still pose higher risks during pregnancy. These therapies are typically postponed until after delivery due to potential harm to the developing fetus.
Researchers stated the study underscores the importance of individualized care and coordination between oncologists, obstetricians and pediatric specialists.
“Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) presents heterogeneous physiological features and fetal development trajectories across gestational stages, so a ‘one-size-fits-all’ strategy is inappropriate,” the authors wrote. “Diagnostic and therapeutic plans should be individualized to each patient, with the aim of selecting approaches that optimize outcomes for both mother and fetus.”
The authors called for future research focused on developing new safe and effective strategies for treating breast cancer during pregnancy, as well as long-term follow up to learn more about long-term outcomes and prognosis for both mother and baby.
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