Leukemia during pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To review the literature on pregnancy and leukemia and present a case report that describes the effects of cancer treatment on a developing fetus.


METHODS
Published articles, book chapters, personal observation.


RESULTS
A diagnosis of acute myelogenous leukemia requires urgent initiation of intensive treatment. During pregnancy, chemotherapy treatment is determined by gestational development and the woman's general health status.


CONCLUSIONS
Babies born to leukemic mothers treated after the first trimester rarely are affected by the disease. Meticulous medical and nursing management is critical to ensure that treatment and side effects do not adversely affect the baby or the patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Goals of care are to prevent bleeding, infection, injury, and premature delivery; to assist the patient and family in coping with a new diagnosis, alteration in role performance, and body image changes; and to maintain adequate nutritional status.
St. Joseph's Cancer Institute, Tampa, FL, USA.
M
M
Ramirez-Smiley
B
B
Ingle
D000328:Adult; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015479:Leukemia, Myelomonocytic, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011247:Pregnancy; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors