gynecology and obstetrics
Cancer in Pregnancy
Introduction
Pregnancy should not delay treatment of cancer. Treatment is often similar to that in nonpregnant women, except for Colorectal Cancer and Because embryonic tissues grow rapidly and have a high DNA turnover rate, they resemble cancer tissues and are thus very vulnerable to antineoplastic drugs. Many antimetabolites and alkylating drugs (eg,busulfan,chlorambucil,cyclophosphamide, 6-mercaptopurine,methotrexate) can cause fetal abnormalities.Methotrexateis particularly problematic; use during the 1st trimester increases risk of spontaneous abortion and, if the pregnancy continues, multiple congenital malformations. Although pregnancy often concludes successfully despite cancer treatment, risk of fetal injury due to treatment leads some women to choose pregnancy termination. Diagnosis and management of cancer during pregnancy or the postpartum period require a multidisciplinary team including oncologists and maternal-fetal medicine specialists. Patient education and shared decision making is important to ensure the patient can make an informed decision. 