The Difficulties in the Management of Breast Cancer and Pregnancy

Introduction: Breast cancer and pregnancy is rare. It is defined by the discovery of breast cancer during pregnancy or within one year after delivery. Throughout this study, we analyzed the characteristics of this entity with review of the literature. Materials and Methods: We report through a retrospective study of breast cancer in pregnant women, a series of 11 cases collected at the oncology department in Sfax between 1994 and 2012. Result: The average age of our patients at diagnosis was 35 years. The average term of pregnancy was 22 weeks. Nine cases were diagnosed during pregnancy. The pregnancy outcome was well with babies in a good health, in 10 cases. The prognosis was excellent with complete remission after a mean follow of 39 months in 7 cases (2years-9years). Conclusion: The diagnosis of breast cancer in pregnant women is often delayed because of physiological changes of pregnancy and the young age which explain the poor prognosis of this entity. The prognosis was excellent in our series compared to the literature.