Pregnancy and cancer

The diagnosis of cancer during pregnancy is rare but the diagnosis of a life-threatening disease during the time of joy for the forthcoming motherhood and the child poses a highly emotional dilemma for both patient and doctor. The therapy for the mother while always bearing the child in mind is a real challenge. The ethical framework and difficulties in the process of decision-making shared with the patient and her family are presented and illustrated by an authentic case. Furthermore the psychological problems and other questions to be kept in mind during decision-making and therapy are discussed.