Cancer and Pregnancy

This book is written by experts with clinical expertise on diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of women with cancer during pregnancy. It provides a comprehensive review of data and an overview of psychological, ethical, and social aspects. Chapters address the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of women with solid or hematologic cancers. The safety of subsequent pregnancy and the maintenance or enhancement of fertility in women undergoing cancer therapy are also addressed.The concomitance of cancer and pregnancy is a biological paradox and one of the greatest challenges in the lives of young patients, their partners, and their families. It is also a challenge to oncologists, because the management of the pregnant cancer patient involves both mother and fetus. Ideally, oncologists, reproductive endocrinologists, obstetricians and neonatologists, nurses, and psychologists work within a dedicated multidisciplinary team to deliver optimal cancer therapy to the mother, while assuring fetal well-being.§This book, written by oncology experts with knowledge and clinical expertise on diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of women with different types of cancer during pregnancy, provides a comprehensive review of existing data on cancer during pregnancy and a general overview of its psychological, ethical, and social aspects. Chapters address the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of young women with specific solid or hematologic cancers during pregnancy. The safety of subsequent pregnancy after cancer treatments and the alternatives to maintain or enhance fertility in women undergoing cancer therapy are also addressed. While not intended as a practical guideline, the book contains clinical suggestions, bibliography, and references to available online sources about referral centers, ongoing clinical trials, and tumor registries to help oncologists in the clinic.