Dealing with Cancer during Pregnancy

Cancer and pregnancy is a lethal combination. Admittedly so, an expectant mother suffering from cancer puts herself and her baby at risk. Though various treatment options are available for a would-be-mother with cancer, it becomes incredibly difficult to navigate nine months without facing complications with the baby. No two cancer cases are the same and for that reason, treatment that is administered should be carefully identified and examined.

Various treatment options like radiation, chemotherapy, surgery etc come with their own set of risks, thus oncologists should keep the age of the fetus, medical history of the patient, growth of the cancer and its location in mind before starting the treatment.

At each stage of pregnancy, the fetus and the mother face different degrees and types of complications. Hence, most often than not, doctors refrain from using radiation as a primary mode of medical assistance as it heightens the risk of complications the fetus might face. Chemotherapy is also ruled out during the first three months as it causes malformations and other defects in the fetus. This treatment further exposes the fetus to toxins which result in premature births and unhealthy babies.

Oncologists usually compare the growth of the cancer against that of the fetus and take a call regarding the treatment that the pregnant mother should undergo. At any stage if the oncologist finds that the treatment can be postponed until the birth of the fetus, he will administer other medicines to keep the mother healthy. However, there are times when the cancer is at an advanced stage in the early months of the pregnancy and at such times, the oncologist might suggest terminating the pregnancy to keep the mother safe. Besides the oncologist, a pregnant mother is suggested to meet with various other medical professionals to get through the difficult phase in her life.