Increased mortality in women with breast cancer detected during pregnancy

January 01, 0001

Increased mortality in women with breast cancer detected during pregnancy

Because of a continued trend toward postponed childbearing, the incidence of pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) is likely to increase. This study by researchers from the USA and seden investigated the mortality in women with PABC in relation to when the tumor was detected (during pregnancy, different postpartum periods) and by time since diagnosis, compared with women with non-PABC. It consisted of a population-based cohort study of 15,721 Swedish women diagnosed with breast cancer between ages 15 to 44 years, of whom 1,110 (7%) had a PABC (diagnosed during or within two years after pregnancy). Information on outcome and potential confounders was obtained from population- based health registers.

Women with PABC had higher mortality compared with women with non-PABC diagnosed at the same age and calendar period. Among women with PABC, 46% died within 15 years after diagnosis, whereas 34% died among non-PABC patients. The mortality in both groups peaked at around two years after diagnosis, with the highest peak occurring in women diagnosed 4 to 6 months after delivery (HR = 3.8). An increased mortality among women with PABC remained until 10 years after diagnosis.

The researchers concluded: "Women with PABC had a poorer prognosis compared with women with breast cancer and no recent birth. The mortality increase was most pronounced in the subgroup of women diagnosed shortly after delivery."

Suspicion, diagnosis and treatment is still required in pregnancy.

For the full abstract, click here.

Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev published online 12 July 2011 © 2011 American Association for Cancer Research
Increased Mortality in Women with Breast Cancer Detected during Pregnancy and Different Periods Postpartum. Anna L.V. Johansson, Therese M-L. Andersson, Chung- Cheng Hsieh, Sven Cnattingius, and Mats Lambe. Correspondence to Anna Johansson: [email protected]

Category: X. Female Genital System, Breast. Keywords: mortality, breast cancer, pregnancy, postpartum, population-based cohort study, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by , Melbourne, Australia. Posted on Global Family Doctor 26 August 2011

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.