Pregnancy-associated Breast Cancer and Other Breast Disease: A Radiologic Review

Ong, Andrew; Müllen, Lisa A.; Harvey, Susan C.

doi:10.37549/ar2676

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 27 publications

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“…Moreover, according to the CDC and other sources, many symptoms of pregnancy are similar to the warning signs of BC (Table 1 ) [ 36 , 37 , 39 – 41 ]. Adverse effects from milk production and breast feeding, such as clogged milk ducts or mastitis, may further exacerbate breast pain, discharge, and nodularity, and could delay BC diagnosis [ 1 , 4 , 34 , 36 , 38 , 40 – 44 ]. Interestingly, one study which interviewed patients with BC determined 90% of patients diagnosed during pregnancy or up to one year post-partum presented with a palpable mass, yet 60% of these patients experienced a delay in diagnosis compared to 11% in cases which did not involve pregnancy or lactation [ 34 ].…”

Section: Characteristics and Composition Of Gbc And Ppbcmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gestational Breast Cancer – a Review of Outcomes, Pathophysiology, and Model Systems

Callaway

Santos

2023

J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia

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The onset of pregnancy marks the start of offspring development, and represents the key physiological event that induces re-organization and specialization of breast tissue. Such drastic tissue remodeling has also been linked to epithelial cell transformation and the establishment of breast cancer (BC). While patient outcomes for BC overall continue to improve across subtypes, prognosis remains dismal for patients with gestational breast cancer (GBC) and post-partum breast cancer (PPBC), as pregnancy and lactation pose additional complications and barriers to several gold standard clinical approaches. Moreover, delayed diagnosis and treatment, coupled with the aggressive time-scale in which GBC metastasizes, inevitably contributes to the higher incidence of disease recurrence and patient mortality. Therefore, there is an urgent and evident need to better understand the factors contributing to the establishment and spreading of BC during pregnancy. In this review, we provide a literature-based overview of the diagnostics and treatments available to patients with BC more broadly, and highlight the treatment deficit patients face due to gestational status. Further, we review the current understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms driving GBC, and discuss recent advances in model systems that may support the identification of targetable approaches to block BC development and dissemination during pregnancy. Our goal is to provide an updated perspective on GBC, and to inform critical areas needing further exploration to improve disease outcome.

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Section: Characteristics and Composition Of Gbc And Ppbcmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gestational Breast Cancer – a Review of Outcomes, Pathophysiology, and Model Systems

Callaway

Santos

2023

J Mammary Gland Biol Neoplasia

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Breast Cancer Screening in High-risk Women During Pregnancy and Lactation

Portnow,

Snider,

Bolivar

et al. 2023

Journal of Breast Imaging

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Women who are at high risk of developing breast cancer warrant screening that is often initiated at younger ages than in average-risk women; this is usually with a combination of annual mammography and breast MRI. Compared to average-risk women, those at high risk are more frequently recommended to undergo screening during childbearing age and thus potentially during pregnancy and lactation. Understanding the appropriate use of screening breast imaging during pregnancy and lactation can be challenging due to limited data defining the evidence-based roles of the different imaging modalities, including mammography, US, and MRI. There have also been assumptions about the diagnostic accuracy of these modalities secondary to physiological changes. This scientific review discusses the current state of evidence- and expert-based guidelines and data for breast imaging screening of high-risk pregnant and/or lactating women, and the clinical and imaging presentations of breast cancer for these women.

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