Pregnancy and leukemia

As increasing numbers of children and adults with leukemia have become long-term survivors, the impact of an existing pregnancy on leukemia treatment, as well as the significance of prior leukemia therapy on future pregnancies, have become sources of concern. The information presently available, derived from small, retrospective series or case reports, indicates that leukemia may develop throughout pregnancy, that a leukemia woman who is pregnant need not undergo an abortion if she does not desire, and that standard antileukemic chemotherapy can be administered safely during the second and third trimesters. The antifolates (eg, methotrexate), being particularly teratogenic, should be avoided during the first trimester. Cytarabine and anthracycline treatment, the fundamental components of management for patients with AML, has not been associated with birth defects. The risk for placental injury, sepsis, and spontaneous abortion or premature birth is undoubtedly increased in women who experience the periodic episodes of myelosuppression that accompany leukemia treatment. Once remission has been achieved, decisions regarding adjustments of the intensity of therapy must be made with each individual patient; such dose alterations may diminish the mother's potential for long-term leukemia control, while possibly securing the viability of the fetus. Similarly, issues such as elective delivery prior to term and vaginal delivery v caesarean section should be resolved on a patient-by-patient basis. The offspring of leukemic mothers appear to mature normally.