We are proud to announce the publication of a new expert opinion in the Journal of Clinical Oncology addressing the diagnosis and treatment of hematologic malignancies during pregnancy.
This important paper highlights that, even in the context of complex blood cancers such as leukemias and lymphomas, timely diagnosis and effective treatment during pregnancy are increasingly achievable. With advances in both hematology and obstetric care, pregnancy no longer automatically necessitates delaying or withholding life-saving therapy.
Diagnostic pathways can be safely adapted, using pregnancy-appropriate imaging and laboratory techniques, while maintaining diagnostic accuracy. Crucially, management should be guided by a multidisciplinary team, ensuring that both maternal health and fetal safety are carefully balanced.
In terms of treatment, several systemic therapies including selected chemotherapy regimens can be administered during pregnancy under specific conditions, particularly beyond the first trimester. But caution is needed with certain agents and treatment modalities, depending on gestational timing and disease characteristics.
Pregnancy should not compromise access to optimal care for hematologic malignancies. Instead, individualized treatment strategies, shared decision-making, and coordinated specialist care can lead to favorable outcomes for both mother and child.
This publication marks another step forward in improving care for pregnant patients with cancer.
