Treatment of Advanced Breast Cancer During Pregnancy

There is no standard treatment for patients with advanced (stage III or stage IV) breast cancer during pregnancy. Most studies show a 5-year survival rate of 10% in pregnant patients with stage III or IV disease.

First-trimester radiation therapy should be avoided. Chemotherapy may be given after the first trimester as discussed in the section on Treatment of Early/Localized/Operable Breast Cancer During Pregnancy.

Because the mother's life span may be limited, and there is a risk of fetal damage with treatment during the first trimester,[1,2] issues regarding continuation of the pregnancy should be discussed with the patient and her family. Therapeutic abortion does not improve prognosis.[1-5]