Title:The Difficulties in the Management of Breast Cancer and Pregnancy
Volume: 11
Issue: 2
Author(s): Wala B. Kridis, Jihène Feki, Afef Khanfir, Nabile Toumi, Tahia Boudawara, Jamel Daoud and Mounir Frikha
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Breast cancer, pregnancy, prognosis, treatment.
Abstract: Introduction: Breast cancer and pregnancy is rare. It is defined by the discovery of breast cancer during
pregnancy or within one year after delivery. Throughout this study, we analyzed the characteristics of this entity with
review of the literature.
Materials and Methods: We report through a retrospective study of breast cancer in pregnant women, a series of 11 cases
collected at the oncology department in Sfax between 1994 and 2012.
Result: The average age of our patients at diagnosis was 35 years. The average term of pregnancy was 22 weeks. Nine
cases were diagnosed during pregnancy. The pregnancy outcome was well with babies in a good health, in 10 cases. The
prognosis was excellent with complete remission after a mean follow of 39 months in 7 cases (2years-9years).
Conclusion: The diagnosis of breast cancer in pregnant women is often delayed because of physiological changes of
pregnancy and the young age which explain the poor prognosis of this entity. The prognosis was excellent in our series
compared to the literature.