Breast cancer during pregnancy: a mini-review.
BACKGROUND
As modern women delay childbearing, pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) becomes a more frequent problem faced by oncologists, gynecologists, and obstetricians alike. However, no evidence exists concerning the management of this condition.


METHODS
We summarized the current literature regarding epidemiology, pathology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of PABC. Data were collected by searching PubMed and Medline for the period from 1950 to 2007.


RESULTS
There are no randomized controlled trials regarding PABC management. Current evidence suggests that diagnosis may be carried out with limitations regarding staging; surgical treatment may be performed as for the non-pregnant women. Radiotherapy and endocrine therapy are contraindicated during pregnancy, while chemotherapy is allowed after the first trimester. Prognosis is considered poor. Subsequent pregnancy is allowed only 2 years after completing treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Due to lack of prospective randomized controlled clinical studies, both ongoing studies and future evidence are expected to solve problems related to breast cancer management during pregnancy.
Navrozoglou
I
I
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Ioannina, 45100 Ioannina, Greece. Electronic address: inavro@yahoo.gr.
Vrekoussis
T
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Ioannina, 45100 Ioannina, Greece.
Kontostolis
E
E
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Ioannina, 45100 Ioannina, Greece.
Dousias
V
V
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Ioannina, 45100 Ioannina, Greece.
Zervoudis
S
S
Lito Maternity Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Stathopoulos
E N
EN
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Greece.
Zoras
O
O
Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Greece.
Paraskevaidis
E
E
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital of Ioannina, 45100 Ioannina, Greece.
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011247:Pregnancy; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome