OBJECTIVE: To describe the oncological and obstetrical outcomes of women diagnosed with borderline ovarian tumors or epithelial ovarian cancer during pregnancy. METHODS: This is an international retrospective cohort study. Patients were eligible for inclusion if they were diagnosed with borderline tumor or invasive ovarian cancer during pregnancy, with histologic confirmation either before or after delivery, and were registered in the International Network on Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy database between 1982 and 2019. RESULTS: A total of 129 patients were included, of whom 69 (53%) with borderline and 60 (47%) with invasive cancer. Diagnosis was established in the first, second, and third trimesters in 59 (46%), 48 (37%), and 22 (17%) patients, respectively. In total, 47 (36%) patients did not receive any treatment during pregnancy. The majority of patients (64%) underwent surgery with or without chemotherapy during pregnancy. Birthweight was significantly lower in women who received chemotherapy during pregnancy as compared to those who did not (median birthweight 2528 g vs 3031 g, p = .01) Among patients with borderline tumors, 20 (29%) experienced a relapse of whom 2 subsequently died from the disease. The 5-year survival probability was 98.5% (95% CI 95.6 to 100). Recurrence was associated with incomplete surgical staging (p = .02). Among patients with epithelial ovarian cancer, the relapse rate was 25% and the 5-year survival probability was 83.6% (95% CI 74.3 to 94.1). The oncological outcome was worse for patients with advanced-stage disease (p = .03). In addition, 66% of patients who relapsed after pregnancy did not undergo adequate surgical staging. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of patients with ovarian cancer during pregnancy can result in favorable oncological and obstetrical outcomes. Better oncological outcomes are achieved when treatment adheres to the standard of care in non-pregnant patients, as those who did not undergo surgical staging experienced a higher relapse rate.

• MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial * therapy   pathology   MeSH
• Cohort Studies MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic * therapy   pathology   MeSH
• Ovarian Neoplasms * pathology   therapy   MeSH
• Retrospective Studies MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Pregnancy Outcome epidemiology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

BACKGROUND: Platina and taxanes are frequently used chemotherapeutic agents to treat cancer, also when diagnosed during pregnancy. This report presents an interim analysis of the largest series of children prenatally exposed to platinum and/or taxane agents and aims to determine their physical health and neurocognitive outcomes. METHODS: As part of a multicentre, prospective cohort study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00330447), children born between 2000 and 2022 were assessed between 2005 and 2024 at ages 1.5-18 years (interim analysis; median length of follow-up, 3.2 years (IQR 3.0-6.4)) by a comprehensive neurocognitive test battery, parent-reported questionnaires, and a physical assessment. Mixed-effects regression and Type III Analysis of Variance models were used to investigate associations between these outcomes and platinum/taxane cumulative dose and agent type, with best-fit models corrected for age and covariates (gestational age at birth, chemotherapy timing, other chemotherapy, sex, parental education level, maternal death). FINDINGS: In total, 144 children were included (13% exposed to platinum, 62% to taxanes, 25% to both). Of these, 101 were assessed at age 1.5 years, 96 at age 3, 63 at age 6, 32 at age 9, 18 at age 12, 7 at age 15, and 2 at age 18 years. Neurocognitive outcomes were within normal ranges across all ages, compared with test-specific normative data. Eight children (6%) reported ototoxicity, seven (5%) reported chronic medical conditions, three (2%) had congenital malformations, and two (1%) were diagnosed with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Thirty-three children (23%) needed extra neurocognitive support, of which 64% were born preterm. Children prenatally exposed to paclitaxel scored lower on visuospatial (β = 0.64 ± 0.21, p = 0.0052) and verbal memory (β = 0.68 ± 0.27, p = 0.015) than those exposed to docetaxel. INTERPRETATION: In this interim analysis, we found normal neurocognitive outcomes and no increase in congenital malformations nor medical conditions after prenatal exposure to platinum/taxane-based chemotherapy. However, owed to the limited number of older children, further investigation regarding their potential neurotoxicity and its long term effects is necessary in follow-up studies with larger samples. FUNDING: Kom Op Tegen Kanker, KWF Kankerbestrijding, Stichting Tegen Kanker, Cooperatio program, Research Foundation Flanders.

• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

OBJECTIVE: To characterise pregnant women diagnosed with primary or recurrent cancer who died during pregnancy, during delivery or within 1 year postpartum. DESIGN: A descriptive study. SETTING: The registry of the International Network on Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy (INCIP). POPULATION: Women diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy between 2000 and 2022. METHODS: Using the INCIP registry database, we compared the characteristics of all women with cancer who died during pregnancy, delivery or within 1 year postpartum with those of all women with cancer who survived the first year postpartum. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Maternal and tumour characteristics and obstetrical and neonatal outcomes. RESULTS: Of the 2359 women registered in INCIP, there were 131 cases (5.6%) of maternal mortality. Lung cancer (9/14, 64.3% of all registered women with lung cancer), gastro-oesophageal cancer (13/21, 61.9%) and acute leukaemia (17/105, 16.2%) had the highest rates of maternal mortality. Maternal mortality was associated with fewer live births compared with the control group without maternal mortality (99/131, 75.6%, vs 1952/2163, 90.0%; P < 0.001), more elective caesarean sections (64/104, 60.4%, vs 756/1836, 41.2%; P < 0.001) and a lower gestational age at (induced) delivery (34.0 vs 37.1 weeks; P < 0.001), resulting in more preterm births. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal mortality occurred in 5.6% of cancer-in-pregnancy cases and is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes.

• MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Maternal Mortality * MeSH
• Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic * mortality   MeSH
• Neoplasms mortality   MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Registries * MeSH
• Maternal Death statistics & numerical data   etiology   MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Pregnancy Outcome epidemiology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Clinical trials frequently include multiple end points that mature at different times. The initial report, typically based on the primary end point, may be published when key planned co-primary or secondary analyses are not yet available. Clinical Trial Updates provide an opportunity to disseminate additional results from studies, published in JCO or elsewhere, for which the primary end point has already been reported.This multicenter cohort study reports on the long-term effects of prenatal exposure to maternal cancer and its treatment on cognitive and behavioral outcomes in 9-year-old children. In total, 151 children (mean age, 9.3 years; range, 7.8-10.6 years) were assessed using a neurocognitive test battery and parent-report behavioral questionnaires. During pregnancy, 109 children (72.2%) were exposed to chemotherapy (only or in combination with other treatment modalities), 18 (11.9%) to surgery only, 16 (10.6%) to radiotherapy, one to trastuzumab, and 16 (10.6%) were not exposed to oncologic treatment. Mean cognitive and behavioral outcomes were within normal ranges. Gestational age at birth showed a positive association with Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ), with the average FSIQ score increasing by 1.6 points for each week increase in gestational age (95% CI, 0.7 to 2.5; P < .001). No difference in FSIQ was found between treatment types (F[4,140] = 0.45, P = .776). In children prenatally exposed to chemotherapy, no associations were found between FSIQ and chemotherapeutic agent, exposure level, or timing during pregnancy. These results indicate a reassuring follow-up during the critical maturational period of late childhood, when complex functions develop and rely on the integrity of early brain development. However, associations were observed with preterm birth, maternal death, and maternal education.

• MeSH
• Child MeSH
• Cognition MeSH
• Cohort Studies MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Neoplasms * drug therapy   MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Premature Birth * MeSH
• Prospective Studies MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Child MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Multicenter Study MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy crosses the placenta, however, it remains unclear to what extent it affects fetal growth. The current literature suggests up to 21% of the offspring of women receiving chemotherapy are small for gestational age (SGA, birth weight <10th percentile). Limiting research to birth weights only might misjudge fetal growth restriction (FGR) in this high-risk population with multiple risk factors for impaired fetal growth. Moreover, the role of the duration of chemotherapy and gestational age at initiation of chemotherapy in fetal growth is yet poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: This retrospective cohort study evaluates fetal growth and neonatal birthweights in pregnant women receiving chemotherapy. STUDY DESIGN: All pregnant patients, registered by the International Network of Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy (INCIP), treated with chemotherapy with at least two ultrasounds reporting on fetal growth, were eligible for this study. Duration and gestational age at initiation of chemotherapy were our major determinants, followed by cancer type and stage, maternal characteristics (parity, BMI, ethnicity hypertension, and diabetes) and individual cytotoxic agents (anthracycline, taxanes, and platinum). Fetal growth outcomes were described using the following mutually exclusive groups (1) FGR, based on a Delphi consensus (2016); (2) "low risk SGA" (birth weight below the 10th percentile), but an estimated growth above the 10th percentile; (3) "fetal growth disturbance", which did not meet all FGR criteria; (4) "non-FGR". Obstetric and oncological characteristics were compared between the growth impaired groups and non-FGR group. We calculated estimated fetal weight (EFW) according to Hadlock's formula (1991) and birth weight percentile according to Nicolaides (2018). We used univariable and multivariable regression, and linear mixed effect models to investigate the effect of duration and gestational age at initiation of chemotherapy on birth weight, and fetal growth, respectively. RESULTS: We included 201 patients, diagnosed with cancer between March 2000 and March 2020. Most patients were diagnosed with breast cancer (n = 132, 66%). Regimens included anthracyclines (n = 121, 60%), (anthracyclines and) taxanes (n = 45, 22%) and platinum (n = 35, 17%). Fetal growth abnormalities were detected in 75 pregnancies: 43 (21%) FGR, 10 (5%) low risk SGA and 22 (8.5%) fetal growth disturbance. Chemotherapy prior to 20 weeks of gestation (47% vs. 25%, p = .04) and poor maternal gestational weight gain (median percentile 15 (range 0-97) vs. 8 (0-84), p = .03) were more frequent in the FGR group compared to the non-FGR group, whereas no difference was seen for specific chemotherapy or cancer types. Univariable regression identified gestational weight gain, hypertension, systemic disease, parity, neonatal sex and maternal BMI as confounders for birth weight percentiles. Multivariable regression revealed that each additional week of chemotherapy was associated with lower birth weight percentiles (-1.06; 95%CI -2.01; -0.04; p = .04), and that later initiation of chemotherapy was associated with an increase in birth weight percentile (1.10 per week; 95%CI 0.26; 1.95; p = .01). Each additional week of chemotherapy was associated with lower EFW and abdominal circumference (AC) percentiles (-1.77; 95%CI -2.21; -1.34, p < .001; -1.64; 95%CI -1.96; -1.32, p < .001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that FGR is common after chemotherapy in pregnancy, and that the duration of chemotherapy has a negative impact. Sonographic follow-up of fetal growth and well-being is recommended.

• MeSH
• Gestational Age MeSH
• Fetal Weight MeSH
• Infant, Small for Gestational Age MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Platinum MeSH
• Parturition MeSH
• Birth Weight MeSH
• Retrospective Studies MeSH
• Fetal Growth Retardation chemically induced   epidemiology   diagnosis   MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Ultrasonography, Prenatal MeSH
• Fetal Development MeSH
• Gestational Weight Gain * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

OBJECTIVE: To provide contemporary gestational age-specific recommendations for management, a retrospective series of patients with renal or bladder cancer during pregnancy is reported. METHODS: Obstetric and oncological data of pregnant patients with a diagnosis of renal or bladder cancer were selected from the worldwide registry of the International Network of Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy. In addition, the literature was reviewed for recent case reports since last reviews in 2014 for renal cancer and 2004 for bladder cancer. RESULTS: International Network of Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy registered 22 cases (14 renal cancer and 8 bladder cancer), diagnosed between 1999 and 2017, and the literature reported 15 cases with renal cancer and 10 cases with bladder cancer between 2004 and 2019. Most common symptoms for renal and bladder cancer were pain (28%) and hematuria (66%), respectively. In more than half of the patients, surgical treatment was performed during pregnancy. Preterm deliveries were mostly medically induced (12 of 17, 71%) and all patients with a planned delivery before 34 weeks had advanced cancer. For renal and bladder cancer respectively, 79% and 87% of patients obtained complete remission. Advanced cancer stages had worse prognosis; 3 of 7 patients with known follow-up deceased within 15 months after diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Gestational age at diagnosis determines further management of renal and bladder cancers during pregnancy. Advanced stages challenge decision-making. The maternal needs for immediate treatment, and the neonatal risks including the impact of a preterm delivery should be discussed in a multidisciplinary setting while respecting the patient's autonomy.

• MeSH
• Pain etiology   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Hematuria etiology   MeSH
• Labor, Induced MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic * mortality   therapy   MeSH
• Kidney Neoplasms * mortality   therapy   MeSH
• Urinary Bladder Neoplasms * mortality   therapy   MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Premature Birth MeSH
• Registries MeSH
• Retrospective Studies MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Importance: Chemotherapy during the first trimester of pregnancy should be avoided owing to the risk of congenital malformations. However, the precise gestational age at which chemotherapy can be initiated safely remains unclear. Objective: To assess congenital malformation rates associated with gestational age at initiation of chemotherapy among pregnant women with cancer. Design, Setting, and Participants: This multicenter cohort study evaluated all pregnant women who received chemotherapy between 1977 and 2019 registered in the International Network on Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy (INCIP) database. Data were analyzed from February 15 to June 2, 2020. Exposures: Cancer treatment with chemotherapy during pregnancy. Main Outcomes and Measures: Analysis was focused on major and minor structural malformations in offspring, defined by EUROCAT, detected during pregnancy or at birth. Results: A total of 755 women in the INCIP database who underwent cancer treatment with chemotherapy during pregnancy were included in analysis. The median (range) age at cancer diagnosis was 33 (14-48) years. Among offspring, the major congenital malformation rate was 3.6% (95% CI, 2.4%-5.2%), and the minor congenital malformation rate was 1.9% (95% CI, 1.0%-3.1%). Chemotherapy exposure prior to 12 weeks gestational age was associated with a high rate of major congenital malformations, at 21.7% (95% CI, 7.5%-43.7%; odds ratio, 9.24 [95% CI, 3.13-27.30]). When chemotherapy was initiated after gestational age 12 weeks, the frequency of major congenital malformations was 3.0% (95% CI, 1.9%-4.6%), which was similar to the expected rates in the general population. Minor malformations were comparable when exposure occurred before or after gestational age 12 weeks (4.3% [95% CI, 0.1%-21.9%] vs 1.8% [95% CI, 1.0-3.0]; odds ratio, 3.13 [95% CI, 0.39-25.28]). Of 29 women who received chemotherapy prior to 12 weeks gestation, 17 (58.6%) were not aware of pregnancy, and 6 (20.7%) experienced a miscarriage (3 women [10.3%]) or decided to terminate their pregnancy (3 women [10.3%]). Conclusions and Relevance: This cohort study found that chemotherapy was associated with an increased risk of major congenital malformations only in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. The risk of congenital malformations when chemotherapy was administered during the first trimester and the high number of incidental pregnancies during cancer treatment in the INCIP registry underscore the importance of contraceptive advice and pregnancy testing at the start of chemotherapeutic treatment in young women with cancer.

• MeSH
• Abnormalities, Drug-Induced etiology   MeSH
• Time Factors MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Gestational Age MeSH
• Cohort Studies MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Neoplasms drug therapy   MeSH
• Odds Ratio MeSH
• Antineoplastic Agents adverse effects   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Pregnancy Trimester, First MeSH
• Drug Administration Schedule * MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Pregnant People MeSH
• Fetal Development drug effects   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Multicenter Study MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

Data on the long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of children exposed to hematological maternal cancer with or without treatment during pregnancy are lacking. A total of 57 children, of whom 33 males and 24 females, prenatally exposed to hematological malignancies and its treatment, were invited for neuropsychological and physical examinations at 18 months, 36 months, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 years of age. Oncological, obstetrical, neonatal and follow-up data of these children were collected. Parents were asked to complete questionnaires on their child's general health, school performances, social situation, behavioral development, executive functioning, and if their child receives supportive care. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma was diagnosed in 35.1%, Hodgkin lymphoma in 28.1%, acute myeloid leukemia in 15.8%, chronic myeloid leukemia in 12.3%, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 8.8%. Cognitive development at a median age of 10.7 years was within the normal range. In subgroup analyses of children in early childhood, the gestational age at birth was correlated with the cognitive outcome at a median age of 1.7 years. Scores for language development, intelligence, attention, memory and behavior, as well as clinical neurological and general pediatric examinations were within normal ranges. In subgroup analyses, the need for supportive care in the child was associated with the loss of the mother. Prenatal exposure to hematological maternal malignancies with or without treatment did not affect the neurodevelopment of the child in the long term. Yet, caution is indicated and surveillance of the emotional development of the child is needed, especially when the mother is deceased to cancer.

• MeSH
• Child MeSH
• Hematologic Neoplasms * complications   MeSH
• Intelligence MeSH
• Infant MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Mothers MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Antineoplastic Agents * MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Child Development MeSH
• Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Child MeSH
• Infant MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Child, Preschool MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

INTRODUCTION: Gastric cancer during pregnancy is extremely rare and data on optimal treatment and possible chemotherapeutic regimens are scarce. The aim of this study is to describe the obstetric and maternal outcome of women with gastric cancer during pregnancy and review the literature on antenatal chemotherapy for gastric cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Treatment and outcome of patients registered in the International Network on Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy database with gastric cancer diagnosed during pregnancy were analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 13 women with gastric cancer during pregnancy were registered between 2002 and 2018. Median gestational age at diagnosis was 22 weeks (range 6-30 weeks). Twelve women were diagnosed with advanced disease and died within 2 years after pregnancy, most within 6 months. In total, eight out of 10 live births ended in a preterm delivery because of preeclampsia, maternal deterioration, or therapy planning. Two out of six women who initiated chemotherapy during pregnancy delivered at term. Two neonates prenatally exposed to chemotherapy were growth restricted and one of them developed a systemic infection with brain abscess after preterm delivery for preeclampsia 2 weeks after chemotherapy. No malformations were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of gastric cancer during pregnancy is poor, mainly due to advanced disease at diagnosis, emphasizing the need for early diagnosis. Antenatal chemotherapy can be considered to reach fetal maturity, taking possible complications such as growth restriction, preterm delivery, and hematopoietic suppression at birth into account.

• MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Maternal-Fetal Exchange MeSH
• Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic drug therapy   MeSH
• Stomach Neoplasms drug therapy   MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Premature Birth MeSH
• Pre-Eclampsia chemically induced   MeSH
• Antineoplastic Agents adverse effects   MeSH
• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols adverse effects   MeSH
• Fetal Growth Retardation chemically induced   MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Pregnancy Outcome * MeSH
• Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Case Reports MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Review MeSH

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cancer diagnosis in young pregnant women challenges oncological decision-making. The International Network on Cancer, Infertility and Pregnancy (INCIP) aims to build on clinical recommendations based on worldwide collaborative research. RECENT FINDINGS: A pregnancy may complicate diagnostic and therapeutic oncological options, as the unborn child must be protected from potentially hazardous exposures. Pregnant patients should as much as possible be treated as non-pregnant patients, in order to preserve maternal prognosis. Some approaches need adaptations when compared with standard treatment for fetal reasons. Depending on the gestational age, surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are possible during pregnancy. A multidisciplinary approach is the best guarantee for experience-driven decisions. A setting with a high-risk obstetrical unit is strongly advised to safeguard fetal growth and health. Research wise, the INCIP invests in clinical follow-up of children, as cardiac function, neurodevelopment, cancer occurrence, and fertility theoretically may be affected. Furthermore, parental psychological coping strategies, (epi)genetic alterations, and pathophysiological placental changes secondary to cancer (treatment) are topics of ongoing research. Further international research is needed to provide patients diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy with the best individualized management plan to optimize obstetrical and oncological care.

• MeSH
• Adaptation, Psychological MeSH
• Internationality MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic * diagnosis   epidemiology   psychology   therapy   MeSH
• Neoplasms diagnosis   epidemiology   psychology   therapy   MeSH
• Placenta Diseases diagnosis   etiology   therapy   MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Registries statistics & numerical data   MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Patient Care Team MeSH
• Pregnancy Outcome epidemiology   MeSH
• Infertility, Female epidemiology   prevention & control   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Pregnancy MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Review MeSH