[Breast cancer associated with pregnancy].

Two cases of breast cancer associated with pregnancy were reported and the immunological assessment was performed in the second case. Case 1: A 36 year-old woman in the first trimester of pregnancy and having a large axillary mass and breast lump was admitted. She was diagnosed as having Stage IIIb breast cancer. After interruption of pregnancy, she received an extended radical mastectomy and radiotherapy. However, she died nine months after surgery for brain and liver metastases. Case 2: A 30 year-old woman in her second trimester of pregnancy was admitted for a large breast mass. She was diagnosed as having Stage IIIa breast cancer. Interruption of pregnancy was again necessary to perform surgery followed by chemotherapy. After an extended radical mastectomy she was placed on a combination chemotherapy regimen with cyclophosphamide, adriamycin and 5-FU. In both cases tumors began to develop rapidly at pregnancy. Immunological studies in Case 2 showed a depression of T-lymphocyte function and NK cell activity. Our study suggests that the depression of cell-mediated immunity during pregnancy may promote tumor growth.