[Effect of pregnancy on the incidence and course of malignant diseases]

Fortunately, coincidence of pregnancy associated with malignant neoplasm is rare. As reported in the literature, incidence is 1.5-10: 10,000 pregnancies. The study presented reports data on the incidence and outcome of 16-35 years old female patients suffering from malignant neoplasms. Patients, who were treated in Freiburg 1980-1989, were considered for evaluation. We analysed the impact of pregnancy on the outcome of these patients by stratifying patients for the time of diagnosis (before, during, or after a pregnancy). 247 patients were included. 118 patients developed a neoplasia after a successful pregnancy. In 24 patients, neoplasia was diagnosed during pregnancy, and 28 patients became pregnant after diagnosis and therapy for a malignancy. Further 77 patients without pregnancy, but in whom neoplasia diagnosed at the age of 16-35 years were included. Cancer of the cervix uteri, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and malignant lymphomas were the most frequent neoplasias diagnosed in young women. In an analysis stratified for stage of disease, we found no significant difference between 3- and 5-years survival of patients with pregnancies before, during, or after diagnosis and treatment of neoplasia. Due to the inhomogeneity of the subgroups analysed, the question, whether pregnancy has any impact on the outcome of neoplasm could not be conclusively answered. The necessity for the establishment of national and international registries collecting sufficient data about incidence and outcome of patients with pregnancies associated with malignant neoplasms is emphasised.