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Worse Prognosis for Breast Cancer Diagnosed in Advanced Pregnancy adn Shortly Postpartum
A recent study reveals that women diagnosed with breast cancer in the later stages of pregnancy or shortly after childbirth face a more aggressive form of the disease and have lower survival rates compared to those without recent pregnancies. The findings come from an update to the national Dutch Pregnancy-Associated Breast Cancer (PABC) Cohort study, conducted by researchers from UMC Utrecht and the Dutch Cancer Institute/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, utilizing data from the dutch Cancer Registration (NKR). The timing of diagnosis is strongly linked to prognosis.The study examined three groups of women: those diagnosed with breast cancer during pregnancy (Pregnancy Breast Cancer, PRBC), up to twelve months after delivery (postpartum Breast Cancer, PPBC), and up to twelve months after a pregnancy termination (After Abortion Breast Cancer, AABC). Their data was compared to that of women with breast cancer who had not been recently pregnant.
Two distinct prognosis profiles emerged among the 787 PABC patients:
A more favorable profile was observed in women diagnosed in the first trimester, six to twelve months after delivery, or within a year after terminating a pregnancy.
A less favorable profile was seen in those diagnosed in the second or third trimester of pregnancy or within six months after delivery.
Women in the less favorable profile were more likely to have high-grade tumors, triple-negative tumors, and a five-year survival rate between 68% and 72%. This contrasts with a survival rate of 85%-91% in the more favorable profile and 85% in the control group (women with breast cancer without a recent pregnancy).
Researchers linked clinical data from the NKR with pathology data from Palga, leveraging national coverage to accurately determine differences in tumor characteristics and survival. The NKR was also used to create a control group of women with breast cancer who had not been recently pregnant.
These insights can help healthcare providers better assess risks for specific patient groups and tailor treatments accordingly. The results also highlight the need for increased awareness among general practitioners, midwives, and gynecologists to facilitate earlier detection and referral of women with breast cancer symptoms around the time of pregnancy.
Source: Bakhuis CFJ, Preković S, Sueelmann BBM, course J, Westenende PJ, Linn SC, Van diest PJ, van der Wall, E, Van Dooijeweert C. Worse prognosis for breast cancer diagnosed in advanced pregnancy and shortly postpartum: an update of the Dutch pregnancy-associated breast cancer cohort. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2025.
