[Fetal risk of cancer chemotherapy (author's transl)]

The risks of embryonic, fetal, gondal damage of cancer chemotherapy are reviewed. Contrasting with the numerous malformations seen in laboratory animals, the teratogenic risk is low in man. Methotrexate is really dangerous during the first trimester of pregnancy. In malignant haematological diseases and solid tumours, the prognosis of the disease is the essential target but the use of immuno-suppressive drugs in non-malignant diseases is hazardous before 40 years of age. All the investigations show that alkylating agents injure the gonads. Young women should be avised to use contraceptives. The future of children born after administration of anti cancer drugs is uncertain. Sterility, carcinogenic risk, mutation, teratogenetic effects in future generations cannot be ruled out.