title: Perinatal Considerations in Women With Previous Diagnosis of Cancer.
abstract: As the average age that women have their first child increases and cancer therapies improve survival, obstetricians are more likely to care for pregnant women who have survived cancer. Managing these pregnancies can be challenging, as they may be associated with higher risks of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Different types of cancer require different types of intervention, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or combinations of these. Prior cancer treatments therefore present different potential complications during pregnancy. Although for most women who survive cancer carrying a pregnancy does not seem to increase mortality rates, there are some associated neonatal morbidities. The most common perinatal complication associated with pregnancy after cancer is prematurity. Women who desire pregnancy after cancer survival should not be discouraged, but appropriate counseling and follow-up should be provided.
authors.affiliation: Resident Physician, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Landa
authors.affiliation: Professor.
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kuller
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC.
authors.forename: Eleanor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rhee
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D037001:Directive Counseling; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000150:complications*; D018743:Perinatal Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011252:Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic / Q000209:etiology*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000209:etiology; D011379:Prognosis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D017741:Survivors; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy