Pregnancy and abortion in breast cancer patients. Two case reports and a literature review.

Breast cancer in pregnancy is by itself not an indication for abortion. We document the case histories of 2 patients with breast cancer (recurrent or advanced) who elected to carry pregnancies to term. Pregnancy concurrent with or subsequent to breast cancer is not associated with a worse prognosis than would be observed in non-pregnant women. Treatment for breast cancer may be an indication for abortion, but chemotherapy may be administered to pregnant patients, although it should be avoided in the first trimester if possible. Treatment such as radiotherapy may not be aimed at improving survival and this knowledge may affect a patient's decision regarding abortion. Breast cancer patients undergoing abortion must be aware of the exact indications for the procedure and the difference between medical and social indications.