According to the American Cancer Institute, breast cancer occurs about once in every 3,000 pregnancies. Because early pregnancy causes swelling and tenderness of the breast tissue, smaller nodules or early disease is missed in pregnant women. The goal of treating breast cancer in pregnancy is to "treat the cancer where it started and keep it from spreading," according to the National Cancer Institute. Breast cancer during pregnancy can cause complications.
Metastatic Disease
When breast cancer spreads, it is called metastasis. Metastatic breast cancer is usually found in the liver, brain, lungs or bones. Metastatic disease requires chemotherapy treatment. Chemotherapy cannot be given during the first trimester of pregnancy because of fetal toxicity. The very immature organs of the fetus in this trimester are susceptible to damage from the chemotherapy. Chemotherapy given during the second or third trimester can have complications such as a decrease in white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. Because of this, the mother can be severely anemic and have very little immunity. If platelets are low during labor and delivery, the mother could suffer significant hemorrhaging. Chemotherapy can also cause premature labor and low birth weight, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Pain
Pain in breast cancer can come from a number of sources. The pain that is felt after a mastectomy can be significant but short lived. Bone pain that arises from metastatic disease can be severe and debilitating. When breast cancer spreads to bone, frequently the spinal vertebrae are affected, causing serious back pain and compression fractures. Narcotics are usually required to control bone pain symptoms caused by metastatic disease. These drugs can cross the placenta and, if taken long term, the baby may be born addicted to narcotics. Neonates addicted to narcotics may have respiratory distress, be difficult to console and require longer stays in the hospital. Narcotics also are associated with low birth weight babies, according to an article published in the June 2002 issue of the "Journal of Perinatology."
Depression
Feelings of depression and sadness are a normal part of breast cancer. Serious clinical depression that causes helplessness, hopelessness, panic attacks and difficulty sleeping can have significant impact on the pregnancy. Poor prenatal care, insufficient weight gain due to poor eating habits and preeclampsia can result from depression, according to the March of Dimes. The babies of depressed mothers are often irritable, less active and less attentive. They may also be premature and have low birth weight.
