Leukemia, radiation therapy and pregnancy?
My son's fiance began radiation therapy for leukemia 4 weeks ago. She was in remission 8 years and her Dr. felt confident he caught it quite early when her cells were just beginning to change. She also takes the Depo shot for contraceptive but found out she's 6 weeks pregnant. She's had 3 radiation sessions and her oncologist said it hasn't harmed the baby and if she decides to go go full term with her pregnancy he will switch her to chemo. She has a gyno appointment next week but my son is afraid to take a chance with her health and the harmful effects of the radiation and now chemo. They're thinking about terminating the pregnancy. Is there anyone with knowlegde about this ?
- falcoonee
I have a dear friend who was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins and was going through intense chemo when she found she was 6 weeks pregnant. Though she and her husband were intensely stressed, they opted to not terminate the pregnancy. They happily delivered a healthy baby boy with no complications. They now have three children. She's been in remission twice, but keeps a positive attitude.
- anf2bRN
Don't just take my word for it--I'm just a nurse, not a doctor, and I don't have a lot of experience with cancer patients. But I would not think that chemo or radiation would allow the baby to live, and if it did, there would be some serious teratogenous effects--the baby would not be normal. Have her talk to her OBGYN--they will know more about this than anyone.
- interpol
Tricky question. Neither chemo or radiotherapy should go with a pregnancy. Some people decide to continue with the pregnancy and delay treatment whereas others decide to terminate. Generally the latter is more popular as people think along the lines that the mother's life is paramount and is necessary for the ideal upbringing of any child. I guess it depends how much the pregnancy means to them (eg no children/ over 30). I'm very suprised that her contraceptive failed.
- Lissacal
I am really surprised that they did not do a pregnancy test prior to starting radiation, even if the woman was on birth control. In my experience, that is the first thing they look for because radiaton treatment can be extremely harmful to a fetus.
It is not a good idea to become pregnant during radiation therapy because radiation may harm the fetus. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/MIT/content/MIT_7_2X_What_Side_Effects_Occur_With_Radiation_Therapy_to_the_Pelvis.asp?sitearea=MIT
Patients should not become pregnant during radiation therapy because radiation treatment during pregnancy will injure the fetus, especially in the first three months. If a patient is pregnant before therapy, the doctor should be informed so that the fetus can be protected from radiation, if possible. http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/dc/cen/canc/gen/radiation.jsp
- tarheelgirl918
This is a terribly difficult decision to have to make. Your sons fiances dr is medically negligent as the other poster stated a pregnancy test should have been done.
Since most of the baby is formed in the first 8 weeks there is a chance there has been harm done. No reputable dr would say a baby at 6 weeks is definitely okay chemo would be out of the question as its function is to destroy rapidly multiplying cells it cannot tell the difference between a cancer cell and a baby growing.
She needs to consult an OB ASAP and she also should consider changing oncologist as the one she has is not honest and ethical. Also many oncologist will not allow a patient to use any hormonal contraceptives as the hormones can trigger cancer cell growth
The decision to carry or terminate is personal and highly charged. Please give her all the support and love you can. As another poster stated she had a successful pregnancy but it is no guarantee.
Best wishes to you all in this very difficult time
Leukemia — Comprehensive overview covers symptoms, causes, risk factors, treatment of this blood-related cancer.
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