title: Cancer in pregnancy: results of a series of 32 patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cancer complicates approximately 1 in 1000 pregnancies. In pregnancy management, whether the benefits outweigh the risks derived from therapy must be carefully considered.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two pregnant patients with the diagnosis of malignancy were followed. The indications and timing for surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy or delayed treatment were decided according to the malignancy characteristics and gestational age. The patient's consent was obtained before every decision.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rate of live births, premature deliveries, foetal abnormalities and neonatal deaths was 97%, 82%, 9% and 3%, respectively. Three women (9%) died during puerperium because of disease progression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The cancer treatment took into full consideration the specific condition of each pregnant patient. A good rate of live births was observed, even if a high rate of preterm delivery occurred. The management of malignancy required a team of experts in order to optimise every available choice for maternal health and neonatal well-being.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy. sara.decarolis@rm.unicatt.it
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: De Carolis
authors.forename: Filomena
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Grimolizzi
authors.forename: Serafina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Garofalo
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fatigante
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferrazzani
authors.forename: Brigida
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Carducci
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caruso
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / Q000628:therapy*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D016896:Treatment Outcome