The combination of hydroxyurea and leucapheresis in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia in pregnancy.

Treatment of malignancy during pregnancy is difficult because of the potential teratogenicity of chemotherapeutic agents. Leucapheresis was employed in the initial management of a pregnant patient with chronic myeloid leukaemia. It was subsequently replaced with oral hydroxyurea during the second trimester. Successful delivery of a live male infant was achieved and the child has normal growth and development to date.