Breast cancer during pregnancy: a complete pregnancy and complete recovery for a 36-year-old man from Modena

The woman was diagnosed with malignant carcinoma in both bads at the fourth month of pregnancy: supported by the bad unit and obstetrics and the gynecology of Modena University Hospital – thanks to a protocol specifically designed for the rare case and to a new technique for the removal of sentinel lymph nodes – the woman is now in good health and has given birth to a little boy who does not Was not affected by the care of his mother

Modena, July 6, 2018 – The appearance of bad cancer during pregnancy is a rare event, which represents about 2% of all bad tumors. And, even more rarely, is the result that – after this diagnosis – had the case of a thirty-six-year-old from Modena, or his complete recovery from malignant carcinoma in both bads performing pregnancy and giving birth to his child, perfectly healthy.

A diagnosis of bad cancer during pregnancy is a difficult choice for women: to save their lives or endanger them to give birth to the child? In Modena, a young woman was confronted with this dilemma and, thanks to the support of the Modena Breast Unit, she managed to heal without giving up the joy of motherhood.

A big challenge, won by the integrated unit of the fight against bad cancer led by the prof. Giovanni Tazzioli – Head of Breast Cancer Surgery at the University Hospital of Modena and the Diagnostic Approach to Breast Cancer Therapy – with a multidisciplinary approach involving not only surgeons oncologists and senologists, but also those of gynecology and theology. Obstetrics, always putting the needs of the patient at the center.

Prof. Giovanni Tazzioli

"After the difficult diagnosis we studied a therapeutic plan to treat the mother without compromising the health of the unborn – explains Tazzioli – we have always worked in the team in deciding to treat the patient for about 12 weeks "The therapy lasted about two and a half months – Dr. Laura Cortesi, Breast Cancer – steps in to reduce the size of both nodules, in order to optimize the effect of the surgical intervention "
" At the end of the most appropriate treatment for the mother and safe for the child we decided to operate it – continues Tazzioli – reserving the second part of the therapy, detrimental to fetus, post-partum period. "

In parallel, the young woman was constantly monitored by visits and ultrasounds by Dr. Francesca Monari, Inecologist of the Department of Obstetrics of the Polyclinic [19659005] In carrying out the prof. Tazzioli and his team of surgeon-surgeons used a new technique for the removal of sentinel lymph nodes, by fluorescence, in order to avoid the slightest exposure to the radioisotope of the scintigraphy, thus protecting the mother and the patient. Child as much as possible.

start with the second phase of therapy, more invasive, in coordination with the team of obstetrics and gynecology of the Policlinico, led by prof. Fabio Facchinetti, it was deemed necessary to give birth to the child. The 34th week of pregnancy was revealed, healthy and of good weight (2,400 grams), with cesarean section.

After only 12 days the young mother has resumed to perform chemotherapy badociated with a biological treatment that will continue for a year, with excellent tolerance to treatment and complete regression of oncological disease

Certainly, the The patient's positive and psychological attitude, which has never been overturned by the situation, is fundamental to this rare and happy story. Leaving even the same doctors who followed her astonished and pleasantly impressed.

As for the latter, we are talking about specialists from different disciplines who have worked in synergy for the fight against bad cancer, with a multidisciplinary approach in addition to bad surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, and surgery. Oncology, including radiology, radiotherapy, pathological anatomy, nuclear medicine re, physiotherapy and gynecology and obstetrics. "To see the baby in the arms of his mother – concluded Dr. Cortesi – was the greatest satisfaction for us."

The bad unit of the Polyclinic of Modena specifically guarantees the multidisciplinarity and centrality of the patient: since July 2016 has been certified by the European Society of Breast Cancer Specialist (EUSOMA), which is the largest European scientific body dealing with bad cancer and every year about 650 women are followed by the bad cancer pathology for neoplastic disease . Each treated with the therapeutic protocol most appropriate to his situation, as evidenced by the case of the young mother

Each year, Professor Tazzioli organizes, in collaboration with the University Hospital of Modena Policlinico, Unimore-University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Atlantic Santè – a French agency specializing in nutrition, health, food safety and the environment – International Prevention Management Conference: a free and free event aimed at the population to discuss cancer prevention . The next edition will take place in Modena on April 12 and 13, 2019.