A cancer diagnosis is bound to change your life. However, if it occurs during pregnancy, it becomes significantly more complex. There are expecting mothers that are left torn with the diagnosis trying to find a balance between their own well-being and that of their unborn child. In Oncology for example, medical advancements have made it possible for caring mothers to treat cancer during pregnancy with low risks to the fetus. A renowned cancer specialist doctor, Dr. Manoj Sharma makes it a point to underline a multidisciplinary approach for maternal and fetal safety.
Understanding Cancer During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, it’s safe to say that the chances of getting Cancer is low, but it is unpredictable. Breast Cancer along with Cervical Cancer, Lymphoma, and Melanoma are some of the more common types. Sometimes even hormonal changes, suppressed immunity, and some genetic factors can trigger or speed up the growth of Cancers. As Dr. Manoj Sharma’s practice, The Best Radiation Oncology clinic in Delhi NCR, have years of experience providing specialized services for pregnant Cancer patients while ensuring their safety and health.
Challenge of Cancer Diagnosis in Pregnant Women
A noteworthy challenge is the overlap of symptoms associated with pregnancy. Furthermore, the management and treatment of cancer in women who are pregnant can be burdensome due to the diagnosis of the condition. Symptoms such as fatigue, constant feeling of nausea, and changes in hormonal levels can add to the clinical symptoms of malignancy, which can delay the diagnosis of neoplasms. Moreover, certain diagnostic procedures such as X – rays and CT scans entail risks to the fetus which makes detection in the early stages more difficult.
Manoj Sharma, a specialist in women’s health suggests that expecting mothers should undertake regular examinations of their health and complain about any unusual swelling, sharp pain, abnormal bleeding, or sudden drop in weight. Where there is a need for imaging, benign specialists focus on ultrasounds and uncontrasted MRI scans.
Safe Cancer Treatment for Pregnant Women
Generally, treatment of cancer may include, but is not limited to surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Oncologists must exercise extreme discretion in the formulation of treatment plans before the baby is born in order to avoid any harm to the fetus while still providing proper care to the mother.
1. Surgery
Surgical eradication of tumors is often a favourable treatment for pregnant females, especially within the first and second trimesters. Early stage breast cancer can also be managed with surgery and thus to prevent added interventions likely to pose risks to fetal growth.
2. Chemotherapy
During the first trimester, chemotherapy is avoided because organ development is taking place in the fetus. However, the later stages of pregnancy allow for some types of chemotherapy to be administered safely. An expert oncologist, Dr. Manoj Sharma, points out that some agents like doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide have been administered to pregnant women with positive outcomes and minimal fetal consequences.
3. Radiation Therapy
Postpartum is the preferred time for administering radiation therapy, particularly for cancers located in the pelvis or abdomen. For patients with breast or brain cancers, some of the most experienced doctors at the Best Radiation Oncology in Delhi NCR offer advanced modalities with protective shields to lessen the amount of radiation the fetus is exposed to.
4. Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy
Monoclonal antibodies, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy represent new approaches and have to be thoroughly vetted. Most of them are not advisable for use in pregnancy because of insufficient safety information; however, there are cases in which they might be entertained where the benefit is greater than the risk.
Balancing Maternal and Fetal Health
Every treatment requires careful consideration of the type and stage of cancer, age of gestation, and the mother’s overall health. There is a need to integrate everything for the better balance of care in the management plan by oncologists, obstetricians, neonatologists, and paediatricians.
During her talks, Dr. Manoj Sharma explains the need for proper patient engagement and multidisciplinary approach to cancer treatment. It’s essential that patient’s understand that all courses of actions along with the risks for their individual case.
Postpartum Cancer Care and Infant Safety
Post-delivery, mothers might want to start or change their course of cancer treatment. For these patients, lactation will likely be contraindicated when undergoing chemotherapy or radiation due to the potential transfer of medications through breast milk. Engaging specialized oncology teams guarantees better recoveries, optimal post cancer care, and well managed post delivery issues.
Most newborns do not incur long standing health concerns due to the mother’s chemotherapy during pregnancy. Nonetheless, regular monitoring of these children’s growth and development with paaediatricians is necessary.
Comforting an Expecting Mother Diagnosed with Cancer
While it’s true that having cancer while pregnant is nothing short of overwhelming, medical science has evolved so that many women are able to treat their cancer while still ensuring they deliver a healthy baby. Dr Manoj Sharma has greatly aided pregnant women in receiving timely cancer care so that they do not need to worry about their baby’s health.
Parents looking for a specialized consultation can find Best Radiation Oncology in Delhi NCR as they have well planned comprehensive treatment facilities that cater to mothers and babies in need. Dr. Manoj Sharma and his team are known to be readily available to serve the best evidence-based medicine to pregnant cancer patients.
Conclusion
Receiving a cancer diagnosis as a pregnant women isn’t and should not be the worst thing in the world. With tailored guidance from experienced clinicians along with strong support from loved ones, expecting mothers have the means to combat cancer and new life. Bringing new life into the world becomes possible through safe cancer therapies, in contrast, promising hope for many families such as those supported by the words of Dr. Manoj Sharma, who aims to effectively treat cancer in pregnant women.