Experiences and challenges in the management of pregnancy-associated breast cancer at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital: a review of four cases

Abstract

Breast cancer is the commonest female cancer worldwide and the most common malignancy during pregnancy. The current management of breast cancer is based on patient and tumour characteristics, preferences and disease stage. In pregnancy-associated breast cancer, the gestational age influences treatment options. Sequencing of therapies is guided by safe imaging options, timing of delivery and prognosis. Systemic therapy options in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant and palliative settings are limited due to safety concerns of the unborn foetus. In resource-constrained regions, the application of safe options may be challenging. This paper reports four of such cases managed in Ghana using a multidisciplinary approach and local resource-appropriate evidence-based practices. Maternal and foetal outcomes were acceptable with none resulting in termination of pregnancy.

Disseminated adult Wilms tumor in pregnancy: Leveraging multidisciplinary care in a low‐resource setting

“…Women face the choice between continuing the pregnancy, which can complicate treatment and allow for further disease progression and or harm to the growing fetus, or terminating the pregnancy to allow for the timely administration of lifesaving treatment 2 . Although rare, the most common cancers diagnosed during pregnancy include but are not limited to breast, melanoma, thyroid, cervical cancers, lymphomas, and very rarely Wilms tumor (WT) 2–4 …”

“…2 Although rare, the most common cancers diagnosed during pregnancy include but are not limited to breast, melanoma, thyroid, cervical cancers, lymphomas, and very rarely Wilms tumor (WT). [2][3][4] WT, or nephroblastoma, constitutes 6% to 7% of all pediatric tumors and is the most common primary renal tumor in children. 5 It is rarely seen in adults, with an incidence of 0.2 cases per million, 1 and predominantly occurs in younger adults with a median diagnosis at age 34 years.…”