Abstract
Introduction
Due to the rarity of lymphoma during pregnancy, management guidelines are based upon evidence from retrospective studies and case reports. Here, we review the major dilemmas in the field and examine the approach of hemato-oncologists in Israel to the management of lymphoma in pregnancy.
Methodology
We performed a literature search on the PubMed database using keywords for all papers on the subject from 1990−2014. The papers were reviewed by an expert panel who devised a questionnaire covering the main dilemmas. Sixty questionnaires were sent out.
Results
Non-contrast magnetic resonance imaging was the staging modality of choice. Chemoimmunotherapy was considered relatively safe beyond the first trimester except methotrexate (completed postpartum). Steroids or vinblastine were suggested by most as a reasonable ‘bridging therapy’ until the second trimester in Hodgkin lymphoma. The dosage of chemoimmunotherapy employed during pregnancy remained debatable; the majority recommended dosage according to actual pregnancy weight. Optimal timing for delivery was considered by most to be >35 weeks. Regarding approach to next pregnancy for patients in complete remission from diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, 69 % advised waiting 2 years but the majority advised 6−12 months for follicular lymphoma.
Discussion
Despite consensus regarding the safety of chemotherapy post first trimester, optimal dosage, central nervous system therapy, timing of delivery and approach to future pregnancies remain controversial, indicating a need for further collaborative research in this field.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Pavlidis NA (2002) Coexistence of pregnancy and malignancy. Oncologist 7(4):279–287
Brenner B, Avivi I, Lishner M (2012) Haematological cancers in pregnancy. Lancet 379(9815):580–587. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61348-2
Han SN, Kesic VI, Van Calsteren K et al (2013) Cancer in pregnancy: a survey of current clinical practice. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 167(1):18–23. doi:10.1016/j.ejogrb.2012.10.026
Lishner M, Avivi I, Apperley JF et al (2016) Hematologic malignancies in pregnancy: management guidelines from an international consensus meeting. J Clin Oncol 34(5):501–508. doi:10.1200/JCO.2015.62.4445
Avivi I, Farbstein D, Brenner B et al (2014) Non-Hodgkin lymphomas in pregnancy: tackling therapeutic quandaries. Blood Rev 28(5):213–220. doi:10.1016/j.blre.2014.06.004
NCCNclinical practice guidelines in oncology (2013) Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphomas. Version 1. http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/nhl.pdf. Accessed 13 Novemb 2014
Kal HB, Struikmans H (2005) Radiotherapy during pregnancy: fact and fiction. Lancet Oncol 6(5):328–333. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(05)70169-8
Brent RL (1989) The effect of embryonic and fetal exposure to X-ray, microwaves, and ultrasound: counseling the pregnant and nonpregnant patient about these risks. Semin Oncol 16(5):347–368
Austin LM, Frush DP (2011) Compendium of national guidelines for imaging the pregnant patient. Am J Roentgenol 197(4):W737–W746. doi:10.2214/AJR.10.6351
Bulas D, Egloff A (2013) Benefits and risks of MRI in pregnancy. Semin Perinatol 37(5):301–304. doi:10.1053/j.semperi.2013.06.005
Mühler MR, Clément O, Salomon LJ et al (2011) Maternofetal pharmacokinetics of a gadolinium chelate contrast agent in mice. Radiology 258(2):455–460. doi:10.1148/radiol.10100652
Azim HA, Pavlidis N, Peccatori FA (2010) Treatment of the pregnant mother with cancer: a systematic review on the use of cytotoxic, endocrine, targeted agents and immunotherapy during pregnancy. Part II: hematological tumors. Cancer Treat Rev 36(2):110–121. doi:10.1016/j.ctrv.2009.11.004
Evens AM, Advani R, Press OW et al (2013) Lymphoma occurring during pregnancy: antenatal therapy, complications, and maternal survival in a multicenter analysis. J Clin Oncol 31(32):4132–4139. doi:10.1200/JCO.2013.49.8220
Bachanova V, Connors JM (2008) How is Hodgkin lymphoma in pregnancy best treated? ASH evidence-based review. Hematol Am Soc Hematol Educ Progr 2008:33–34. doi:10.1182/asheducation-2008.1.33
Connors JM (2005) State-of-the-art therapeutics: Hodgkin’s lymphoma. J Clin Oncol 23(26):6400–6408. doi:10.1200/JCO.2005.05.016
Cardonick E, Iacobucci A (2004) Use of chemotherapy during human pregnancy. Lancet Oncol 5(5):283–291. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(04)01466-4
Avilés A, Neri N (2001) Hematological malignancies and pregnancy: a final report of 84 children who received chemotherapy in utero. Clin Lymphoma 2(3):173–177
Hahn KME, Johnson PH, Gordon N et al (2006) Treatment of pregnant breast cancer patients and outcomes of children exposed to chemotherapy in utero. Cancer 107(6):1219–1226. doi:10.1002/cncr.22081
Van Calsteren K, Amant F (2010) Chemotherapy during pregnancy: pharmacokinetics and -impact on foetal neurological development. Facts Views Vis ObGyn 2(4):278–286
Van Calsteren K, Verbesselt R, Beijnen J et al (2010) Transplacental transfer of anthracyclines, vinblastine, and 4-hydroxy-cyclophosphamide in a baboon model. Gynecol Oncol 119(3):594–600. doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2010.08.019
Van Calsteren K, Verbesselt R, Ottevanger N et al (2010) Pharmacokinetics of chemotherapeutic agents in pregnancy: a preclinical and clinical study. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 89(10):1338–1345. doi:10.3109/00016349.2010.512070
van Hasselt JGC, van Calsteren K, Heyns L et al (2014) Optimizing anticancer drug treatment in pregnant cancer patients: pharmacokinetic analysis of gestation-induced changes for doxorubicin, epirubicin, docetaxel and paclitaxel. Ann Oncol 25(10):2059–2065. doi:10.1093/annonc/mdu140
Abadi U, Koren G, Lishner M (2011) Leukemia and lymphoma in pregnancy. Hematol Oncol Clin N Am 25(2):277–291. doi:10.1016/j.hoc.2011.01.001
Brewer M, Kueck A, Runowicz CD (2011) Chemotherapy in pregnancy. Clin Obstet Gynecol 54(4):602–618. doi:10.1097/GRF.0b013e318236e9f9
Koren G, Carey N, Gagnon R et al (2013) Cancer chemotherapy and pregnancy. J Obstet Gynaecol Cancer 35(3):263–280
Pentheroudakis G, Pavlidis N (2006) Cancer and pregnancy: poena magna, not anymore. Eur J Cancer 42(2):126–140. doi:10.1016/j.ejca.2005.10.014
Koren G LMSS editors (2005) The Motherisk guide to cancer in pregnancy and lactation. 2nd ed, Motherisk Program, Toronto
Weisz B, Meirow D, Schiff E et al (2004) Impact and treatment of cancer during pregnancy. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 4(5):889–902. doi:10.1586/14737140.4.5.889
Rosenzweig AI, Crews QE, Hopwood HG (1964) Vinblastine sulfate in Hodgkin’s disease in pregnancy. Ann Intern Med 61:108–112
Lishner M, Zemlickis D, Degendorfer P et al (1992) Maternal and foetal outcome following Hodgkin’s disease in pregnancy. Br J Cancer 65(1):114–117
El-Hemaidi I, Robinson SE (2012) Management of haematological malignancy in pregnancy. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 26(1):149–160. doi:10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2011.10.007
Chakravarty EF, Murray ER, Kelman A et al (2011) Pregnancy outcomes after maternal exposure to rituximab. Blood 117(5):1499–1506. doi:10.1182/blood-2010-07-295444
Decker M, Rothermundt C, Holländer G et al (2006) Rituximab plus CHOP for treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma during second trimester of pregnancy. Lancet Oncol 7(8):693–694. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(06)70797-5
Cardonick E, Usmani A, Ghaffar S (2010) Perinatal outcomes of a pregnancy complicated by cancer, including neonatal follow-up after in utero exposure to chemotherapy: results of an international registry. Am J Clin Oncol 33(3):221–228. doi:10.1097/COC.0b013e3181a44ca9
Avilés A, Díaz-Maqueo JC, Talavera A et al (1991) Growth and development of children of mothers treated with chemotherapy during pregnancy: current status of 43 children. Am J Hematol 36(4):243–248
Pereg D, Koren G, Lishner M (2008) Cancer in pregnancy: gaps, challenges and solutions. Cancer Treat Rev 34(4):302–312. doi:10.1016/j.ctrv.2008.01.002
Warkany J (1978) Aminopterin and methotrexate: folic acid deficiency. Teratology 17(3):353–357. doi:10.1002/tera.1420170314
Del Campo M, Kosaki K, Bennett FC et al (1999) Developmental delay in fetal aminopterin/methotrexate syndrome. Teratology 60(1):10–12. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1096-9926(199907)60:1<10:AID-TERA5>3.0.CO;2-H
Ring AE, Smith IE, Jones A et al (2005) Chemotherapy for breast cancer during pregnancy: an 18-year experience from five London teaching hospitals. J Clin Oncol 23(18):4192–4197. doi:10.1200/JCO.2005.03.038
Shapira T, Pereg D, Lishner M (2008) How I treat acute and chronic leukemia in pregnancy. Blood Rev 22(5):247–259. doi:10.1016/j.blre.2008.03.006
Milojkovic D, Apperley JF (2014) How I treat leukemia during pregnancy. Blood 123(7):974–984. doi:10.1182/blood-2013-08-283580
Wagner LK, American College of Radiology (2008) ACR practice guideline for imaging pregnant or potentially pregnant adolescents and women with ionizing radiation. Pract Guidel Tech Stand 2008 Reston, Am Coll Radiol
Mazonakis M, Varveris H, Fasoulaki M, Damilakis J (2003) Radiotherapy of Hodgkin’s disease in early pregnancy: embryo dose measurements. Radiother Oncol 66(3):333–339
Jacobs C, Donaldson SS, Rosenberg SA et al (1981) Management of the pregnant patient with Hodgkin’s disease. Ann Intern Med 95(6):669–675
Van Calsteren K, Heyns L, De Smet F et al (2010) Cancer during pregnancy: an analysis of 215 patients emphasizing the obstetrical and the neonatal outcomes. J Clin Oncol 28(4):683–689. doi:10.1200/JCO.2009.23.2801
Bastek JA, Sammel MD, Paré E et al (2008) Adverse neonatal outcomes: examining the risks between preterm, late preterm, and term infants. Am J Obstet Gynecol 199(4):367-e1. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2008.08.002
Pentheroudakis G, Orecchia R, Hoekstra HJ et al (2010) Cancer, fertility and pregnancy: ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Ann Oncol 21(Suppl 5):v266–v273. doi:10.1093/annonc/mdq198
Johnson S (2007) Cognitive and behavioural outcomes following very preterm birth. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med 12(5):363–373. doi:10.1016/j.siny.2007.05.004
Weibull CE, Eloranta S, Smedby KE et al (2016) Pregnancy and the risk of relapse in patients diagnosed with hodgkin lymphoma. J Clin Oncol 34(4):337–344. doi:10.1200/JCO.2015.63.3446
Voulgaris E, Pentheroudakis G, Pavlidis N (2011) Cancer and pregnancy: a comprehensive review. Surg Oncol 20(4):e175–e185. doi:10.1016/j.suronc.2011.06.002
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
About this article
Cite this article
Odelia, A., Erel, J., Chava, P. et al. Continuing dilemmas in the management of lymphoma during pregnancy: review of a 10-point case-based questionnaire. Int J Clin Oncol 22, 190–199 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-016-1036-3
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-016-1036-3