| Abstract [eng] |
The occurrence of cancer during pregnancy, estimated at 1 in 1,000 to 1,500 cases, is becoming more significant due to trends toward delayed childbearing and advanced maternal age. This narrative review examines the interaction between pregnancy and the most common malignancies, focusing on epidemiology, diagnostic challenges, treatment options, and obstetric management across breast cancer, cervical cancer, hematologic malignancies, melanoma and thyroid cancer. Diagnosis is often delayed by around four weeks, as physiological changes of pregnancy can mask cancer symptoms. Some entities profit from routine prenatal screening, which leads to detection in early stages. Management requires balancing maternal oncologic treatment with fetal safety. Surgery and chemotherapy after the first trimester are generally feasible, while radiotherapy and certain systemic agents remain contraindicated. Gestational age is the key determinant of treatment timing and feasibility. Maternal prognosis is mainly driven by tumor biology and stage, whereas fetal outcomes depend largely on obstetric management, with iatrogenic prematurity representing the main source of neonatal morbidity. Direct tumor effects on the fetus are rare. The effective management of cancer in pregnancy relies on an individualized and multidisciplinary framework aimed at balancing maternal and fetal outcomes. |
