Case report
Successful pregnancy after breast cancer therapy: dream or reality?
1 2nd Department of Propedeutic Surgery, Medical School, University of Athens, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece
2 1st Department of Pathology, Medical School, University of Athens, Laiko General Hospital, Athens, Greece
3 4th Department of Surgery, Medical School, University of Athens, ATTIKON General Hospital, Athens, Greece
International Seminars in Surgical Oncology 2009, 6:7 doi:10.1186/1477-7800-6-7
Published: 2 March 2009Abstract
Background
Nowadays, more breast cancer patients want to have children after the diagnosis of cancer. The purpose of this study is to review the possibility and risks of giving birth among women with breast cancer previously treated by chemotherapy.
Case presentation
Two young women aged 28 and 34 respectively, were treated in our clinic for breast cancer, the first (negative hormonal receptors) by surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy and the second (positive hormonal receptors) by surgery, radiotherapy and tamoxifen. They both became pregnant, 1 and 8 years after completion of the therapy respectively.
Results
Laboratory testing during pregnancy was negative in both cases and after an uneventful course each woman gave birth to a perfectly healthy child. The first patient breastfed her baby for three months, while the second one did not breastfeed her baby at all.
Conclusion
Women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer can maintain their fertility and get pregnant. Previous chemotherapy for breast cancer does not present any supplementary risks for the child's mental or physical health.
