Diagnosis and multidisciplinary treatment of 9 cases of pregnancy-associated breast cancer / 中国癌症杂志

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To analyze and study the characteristics of diagnosis, multidisciplinary treatment including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy of pregnancy-associated breast cancer. Methods: 9 cases of pregnancy-associated breast cancer were diagnosed and treated in the Department of radiotherapy of Henri Mondor Hospital, the Xllth University of Paris, from December 1992 to June 1999. 3 cases were diagnosed during pregnancy, while the other 6 were diagnosed within one year following pregnancy. 5 cases were treated with breast conservative therapy, 4 cases with modified radical mastectomy. Post-operative radiotherapy was delivered to all of the 9 cases, and 7 cases accepted chemotherapy. Results: 7 of the 9 mammographies and all the 5 breast ultrasonographies revealed tumor images. The stage at the diagnosis was generally late, the proportion of stage I , II and fT was 11 % , 44% and 44% respectively. The median follow-up time was 60 months (9-89 months), disease-free survival was observed in 6 cases, 3 cases had local recurrence or distant metastasis at 14 months to 48 months after the completion of treatment. Conclusions: Delay of diagnosis is frequently observed in pregnancy-associated breast cancer, especially in these cases diagnosed after delivery. Attention should be paid to the physical examination and ultrasonography of the breast during pregnancy and lactation. The principal of treatment is to take into account both the urgency of the disease and the safety of the fetus. Under the condition that the chemotherapy and radiotherapy could be delivered without delay, breast conservative treatment is feasible in early stage pregnancy associated breast cancer