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Chemotherapy
Source: Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment During Pregnancy (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version, National Cancer Institute.
Source updated: January 13, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.
Selected source text with whitespace normalised. This Triangle page is not an NCI PDQ summary.
Context: Treatment Options for Hodgkin Lymphoma During Pregnancy / Therapy During the First Trimester
Evidence (chemotherapy during the first trimester):
Chemotherapy that is administered during the first trimester has been associated with congenital abnormalities in as many as 33% of infants.[2,16] Consequently, some women may opt to continue the pregnancy and agree to radiation therapy or chemotherapy if immediate treatment is required after the first trimester.
A multicenter retrospective analysis of 40 patients described pregnancy termination in 3 patients, deferral of therapy to the postpartum period in 13 patients (median 30-week gestation), and antenatal therapy given to the remaining 24 patients (median 21-week gestation, all done after the first trimester).[17]
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A multicenter retrospective analysis of 40 patients described pregnancy termination in 3 patients, deferral of therapy to the postpartum period in 13 patients (median 30-week gestation), and antenatal therapy given to the remaining 24 patients (median 21-week gestation, all done after the first trimester).[17]
With a median follow-up of 41 months, the 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 85%, and the overall survival (OS) rate was 97%, often with the use of ABVD (doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine).[17][Level of evidence C3]
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A retrospective analysis of 39 patients from the MD Anderson Cancer Center described pregnancy termination in 3 patients, deferral of therapy to the postpartum period in 12 patients, and antenatal therapy given to 24 patients.[18]
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A retrospective analysis of 39 patients from the MD Anderson Cancer Center described pregnancy termination in 3 patients, deferral of therapy to the postpartum period in 12 patients, and antenatal therapy given to 24 patients.[18]
Two women had a miscarriage after receiving doxorubicin-based chemotherapy during the first trimester.
A retrospective analysis of 39 patients from the MD Anderson Cancer Center described pregnancy termination in 3 patients, deferral of therapy to the postpartum period in 12 patients, and antenatal therapy given to 24 patients.[18]
With a median follow-up of 68 months from diagnosis, the 5-year PFS rate was 75%, and the OS rate was 82%. These rates did not differ between the antenatal and postpartum timing of therapy.[18][Level of evidence C3]
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Preserved source evidence · Not medical advice