Pediatrics World Conference 2026

Abstract

Introduction:

Twenty years ago in Japan, abortion was often recommended when cancer was diagnosed during pregnancy. However, it is now possible to safely treat the mother's cancer during the fetus. Since 2005, our institution, through collaboration between the obstetrics and gynecology and medical oncology departments, has actively accepted patients wishing to treat and give birth to children with cancer-complicated pregnancies.

Objective: To examine the health quality of children exposed to anticancer drug therapy during the fetal stage.

Subjects:Pregnant women with breast cancer who underwent cancer treatment during pregnancy at our hospital between August 2005 and September 2025, and their children born afterward.

Method: Retrospective review of medical records.

Results:
A total of 146 pregnant women with breast cancer visited our hospital during the study period. The breast cancer stage was stage I; of these, one patient had a spontaneous abortion (Gestational Age 16 weeks), two had induced abortions (GA17 and GA 20 weeks), and one had a stillbirth (at GA19 weeks). 142 patients continued their pregnancies while undergoing anticancer treatment. 102 patients received AC therapy (doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide) and gave birth at our hospital. The breast cancer patients' stages were stage I (33 patients, 32%), stage II (40 patients, 39%), stage III (21%), and stage IV (3%). The median number of weeks at diagnosis was 15 weeks 0 days (range 4 weeks - 37 weeks). 15 breast cancer patients died (15%). 103 children, including twins, were born at our hospital. The median number of weeks at delivery was 37 weeks 3 days (range 32 weeks 4 days - 42 weeks 6 days). The mean BBW was 2695g ± 530g, two patients (2%) were SGA, and the median Apgar score at 5 min was 8 (range 8-10). 27 patients (26%) underwent cardiac ultrasound after birth, with all patients having a normal ejection fraction. One patient (1%) had a congenital abnormality (ventricular septal defect) requiring therapeutic intervention.

Discussion:
The Apgar scores and birth weights of newborns exposed to doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide during the fetal period were generally healthy. Approximately one-quarter underwent cardiac ultrasound evaluation, and no deterioration in cardiac function due to anthracycline was found. One patient had a ventricular septal defect requiring treatment, but the relationship to the anticancer drug is unknown. No short-term health effects were observed. Long-term observation of growth and development after birth is considered necessary