Breast cancer during pregnancy: in Modena, a mother completes gestation

A 36-year-old woman is diagnosed with malignant carcinoma in both bads at the fourth month of pregnancy: taken by the Breast Unit and Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University Hospital of Modena – thanks to a protocol designed specifically for the rare case and a new technique for removal of sentinel lymph nodes – now he is in good health and gave birth to a child, who was not badigned by the care of the mother

The occurrence of bad cancer pregnancy is a rare event, accounting for about 2% of all bad cancers. 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 to put them at risk for giving birth?

In Modena, a young woman, thanks to the support of the Breast Unit of Modena, managed to heal without giving up the joy of motherhood. A big challenge, won by the team of integrated bad cancer control unit led by Professor Giovanni Tazzioli – head of the Otene bad cancer surgery in Modena and the therapeutic diagnostic pathway for the treatment of bad cancer – with a multidisciplinary approach, involving specialists not only in oncology and senological surgery, but also in gynecology and obstetrics, always putting the needs of the patient In the center

"After a difficult diagnosis, we studied a therapeutic plan, explains that Tazzioli has always worked in a team deciding to treat the patient for about 12 weeks with a particular chemotherapy protocol designed to minimize the risk of damage to the patient. the unborn child. "

" The therapy lasted about two and a half months – adds Dr. Laura Cortesi, oncologist of the bad unit – to reduce the size of two nodules, to optimize the effect of the surgical procedure. "

" At the end of the most appropriate treatment for the mother and safe for the baby we decided to operate it – continues Tazzioli – reserving the second part of the therapy, harmful to the fetus, to the postpartum period. "At the same time, the young woman was constantly followed by obstetric and ultrasound visits by Dr. Francesca Monari, a gynecologist at the Department of Obstetrics of the Polyclinic

In carrying out the intervention, Professor Tazzioli and his team of surgeon senologists used a new technique for the removal of sentinel lymph nodes, by fluorescence, to totally avoid the slightest exposure to the radioisotope of the scintigraphy, thus protecting the mother and the child as much as possible

Before starting the second phase of the therapy, more invasive, with the team of obstetrics and gynecology of the polyclinic, led by Professor Fabio Facchinetti, it was deemed necessary to give birth to the child.The 34th week of pregnancy appeared healthy and of a good weight (2400 grams), by caesarean section.

After only 12 days, the mother took over the heiotherapy badociated with a biological treatment that will continue for years.