Is breast cancer during pregnancy a more aggressive disease?
It was long thought that breast cancer during pregnancy carried a less favorable prognosis. It is now known through clinical studies that the course of the disease is no different. The differences are in decisions of how to manage the disease and maintain pregnancy. Do I have to have an abortion if I do have breast cancer? The high levels of estrogen and prolactin during pregnancy may stimulate a cancer to grow, but studies have shown that abortion does not change the course of your cancer and does not improve chances of survival. Abortion is an option only when aggressive chemotherapy is required early in the pregnancy. What about surgery for breast cancer? Surgical choices for breast cancer during pregnancy are limited. Breast conservation (lumpectomy) can only be done if delivery is within 6 to 8 weeks. Radiation therapy is needed after a lumpectomy. Radiation therapy is contraindicated with pregnancy because of potential side effects to the baby. Mastectomy, unlike lumpectomy, can
