Background: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women worldwide, including among women of reproductive age. Therefore, breast cancer is among the most commonly diagnosed cancers during pregnancy and poses numerous diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. It requires a multidisciplinary approach to ensure the well-being of both mother and foetus. In this context, the oncology nurse, particularly in the role of case manager, plays a critical role in supporting the patient and her caregiver by managing the treatment plan and logistics, identifying potential adverse effects during oncological therapies, and addressing complications where possible. Given the limited evidence in literature, the aim of this study is to describe a case series of patients diagnosed with pregnancy-associated breast cancer, analysing the clinicopathological characteristics of the tumours, oncological and surgical treatments administered, side effects of treatments, and oncological outcomes, with a specific focus on the role of the nurse in the multidisciplinary management of these cases. Materials and Methods: This is an observational, retrospective, single-centre study which analyses a subgroup of patients enrolled in the FERTILIVID study, which is active at the Veneto Institute of Oncology (IRCCS) in Padua. The FERTILIVID study aims to analyse the outcomes of pregnancies occurring concurrently with or after a diagnosis of breast cancer. Patients enrolled in the FERTILIVID study must have received their first diagnosis of breast cancer before the age of 40 (or associated to pregnancy), between 2014 and 2024, and must have been candidates for at least one oncological treatment. This thesis focuses on patients diagnosed with pregnancy-associated breast cancer. Clinical data collected from electronic medical records include patient age, gestational week at diagnosis and delivery, tumour characteristics, surgical, radiotherapeutic, and oncological treatments administered, and associated toxicities. Statistical analyses are descriptive and include medians, ranges, and frequency and percentage calculations presented in contingency tables and bar charts. Results: A sample of 13 patients diagnosed with pregnancy-associated breast cancer was identified for this project. The median age was 34 years (range 26-44 years), with 61.5% of patients being over 35. Early-stage disease (stages I and II) was diagnosed in 53.9% of patients, while 46.1% presented advanced-stage tumours (stages III and IV). Most patients presented HER2+ breast cancer (46.2%, 30.8% HR+/HER2+ and 15.4% HR-/HER2+), while HR+/HER2- tumours (30.8%) and HR-/HER2- tumours (23.0%) were less represented. A total of 84.6% of patients underwent surgical treatment, predominantly breast-conserving surgery, 69.2% received radiotherapy, and 92.3% of patients received chemotherapy. Two patients underwent surgery during pregnancy, and four patients (33.3%) received at least one cycle of chemotherapy during pregnancy. The most common chemotherapy-related complications included nausea (58.3%), leukopenia (50%), and fatigue (41.7%). 53.9% of patients had a preterm birth, 30.7% had a full-term birth, while 15.4% had an abortion (spontaneous or at the patient's request). No significant side effects were reported in new-borns. Conclusions: Breast cancer during pregnancy requires a highly personalized therapeutic approach. This study highlights the importance of multidisciplinary management, with reference to the central role of the oncology nurse, in ensuring continuity of care and emotional support for the patient. Further studies, including a larger number of patients, are needed to improve clinical management and ensure better clinical outcomes and quality of life for these patients.
Background: Il carcinoma mammario rappresenta la neoplasia maligna più frequentemente diagnosticata nelle donne nel mondo. Pertanto esso è tra i tumori maggiormente diagnosticati durante la gravidanza, richiedendo approcci complessi sia dal punto di vista diagnostico che terapeutico. Una gestione multidisciplinare è fondamentale per salvaguardare la salute di madre e feto. In questo contesto, il ruolo dell’infermiere, in particolare come case-manager, diventa cruciale per supportare la paziente e il caregiver nella gestione del piano di cure, nel monitoraggio degli effetti avversi delle terapie oncologiche e nella gestione delle eventuali complicanze. Data la limitata letteratura sul carcinoma mammario associato alla gravidanza, l'obiettivo di questo studio è descrivere una casistica monocentrica di pazienti affette da questa patologia, analizzando le caratteristiche clinico-patologiche delle neoplsie, i trattamenti oncologici e chirurgici utilizzati, le tossicità correlate e gli outcome oncologici. Particolare attenzione è rivolta al ruolo dell’infermiere nella gestione multidisciplinare di queste pazienti. Materiali e Metodi: Questo studio osservazionale, retrospettivo e monocentrico è stato condotto analizzando un sottogruppo di pazienti arruolate nello studio FERTILIVID, attivo presso l’Istituto Oncologico Veneto (IRCCS) di Padova, con l’obiettivo di esaminare l’outcome delle gravidanze in concomitanza o successive a una diagnosi di carcinoma mammario. Le pazienti dovevano aver ricevuto la diagnosi di carcinoma mammario prima dei 40 anni o in gravidanza, tra il 2014 e il 2024, ed essere candidate ad almeno un trattamento oncologico. La tesi si concentra sulle pazienti con diagnosi di carcinoma durante la gravidanza. Dai dati clinici delle cartelle informatizzate sono stati raccolti parametri relativi a età delle pazienti, settimana gestazionale alla diagnosi e al parto, caratteristiche tumorali, trattamenti chirurgici, radioterapici e oncologici, e tossicità intercorse. Le analisi statistiche eseguite sono di tipo descrittivo. Risultati: Sono state identificate 13 pazienti con carcinoma mammario associato alla gravidanza. L’età mediana è risultata di 34 anni (range 26-44 anni), con il 61,5% delle pazienti di età superiore ai 35 anni. Il 53,9% delle pazienti presentava stadi iniziali di malattia (stadio I e II), mentre il 46,1% era in stadio avanzato (III e IV). La maggior parte delle neoplasie era di tipo HER2+ (46,2%, di cui 30,8% con positività per i recettori ormonali e 15,4% con negatività), mentre neoplasie HR+/HER2- e HR-/HER2- risultavano meno frequenti (rispettivamente 30,8% e 23%). Dal punto di vista dei trattamenti, l’84,6% delle pazienti ha subito un intervento chirurgico, prevalentemente conservativo, il 69,2% ha ricevuto radioterapia, e il 92,3% ha effettuato trattamenti chemioterapici. Durante la gravidanza, 2 pazienti (15,4%) sono state sottoposte a intervento chirurgico e 4 (33,3%) hanno ricevuto almeno un ciclo di chemioterapia. Le tossicità più comuni correlate alla chemioterapia includevano nausea (58,3%), leucopenia (50%) e astenia (41,7%). Il 53,9% delle pazienti ha avuto un parto pretermine, il 30,7% ha partorito a termine, e il 15,4% ha avuto un aborto (spontaneo o volontario). Non sono emersi effetti collaterali significativi sui neonati. Conclusioni: Il carcinoma mammario durante la gravidanza richiede un approccio terapeutico personalizzato e multidisciplinare. Questo studio evidenzia l’importanza del ruolo centrale dell’infermiere per garantire continuità delle cure e supporto emotivo alla paziente. Sono necessarie ulteriori ricerche su campioni più ampi per ottimizzare la gestione clinica e migliorare gli esiti per queste pazienti.
Gestione della paziente affetta da carcinoma mammario in gravidanza: il ruolo dell'infermiere e una casistica monocentrica
CASTELLARO, LUCREZIA
2023/2024
Abstract
Background: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women worldwide, including among women of reproductive age. Therefore, breast cancer is among the most commonly diagnosed cancers during pregnancy and poses numerous diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. It requires a multidisciplinary approach to ensure the well-being of both mother and foetus. In this context, the oncology nurse, particularly in the role of case manager, plays a critical role in supporting the patient and her caregiver by managing the treatment plan and logistics, identifying potential adverse effects during oncological therapies, and addressing complications where possible. Given the limited evidence in literature, the aim of this study is to describe a case series of patients diagnosed with pregnancy-associated breast cancer, analysing the clinicopathological characteristics of the tumours, oncological and surgical treatments administered, side effects of treatments, and oncological outcomes, with a specific focus on the role of the nurse in the multidisciplinary management of these cases. Materials and Methods: This is an observational, retrospective, single-centre study which analyses a subgroup of patients enrolled in the FERTILIVID study, which is active at the Veneto Institute of Oncology (IRCCS) in Padua. The FERTILIVID study aims to analyse the outcomes of pregnancies occurring concurrently with or after a diagnosis of breast cancer. Patients enrolled in the FERTILIVID study must have received their first diagnosis of breast cancer before the age of 40 (or associated to pregnancy), between 2014 and 2024, and must have been candidates for at least one oncological treatment. This thesis focuses on patients diagnosed with pregnancy-associated breast cancer. Clinical data collected from electronic medical records include patient age, gestational week at diagnosis and delivery, tumour characteristics, surgical, radiotherapeutic, and oncological treatments administered, and associated toxicities. Statistical analyses are descriptive and include medians, ranges, and frequency and percentage calculations presented in contingency tables and bar charts. Results: A sample of 13 patients diagnosed with pregnancy-associated breast cancer was identified for this project. The median age was 34 years (range 26-44 years), with 61.5% of patients being over 35. Early-stage disease (stages I and II) was diagnosed in 53.9% of patients, while 46.1% presented advanced-stage tumours (stages III and IV). Most patients presented HER2+ breast cancer (46.2%, 30.8% HR+/HER2+ and 15.4% HR-/HER2+), while HR+/HER2- tumours (30.8%) and HR-/HER2- tumours (23.0%) were less represented. A total of 84.6% of patients underwent surgical treatment, predominantly breast-conserving surgery, 69.2% received radiotherapy, and 92.3% of patients received chemotherapy. Two patients underwent surgery during pregnancy, and four patients (33.3%) received at least one cycle of chemotherapy during pregnancy. The most common chemotherapy-related complications included nausea (58.3%), leukopenia (50%), and fatigue (41.7%). 53.9% of patients had a preterm birth, 30.7% had a full-term birth, while 15.4% had an abortion (spontaneous or at the patient's request). No significant side effects were reported in new-borns. Conclusions: Breast cancer during pregnancy requires a highly personalized therapeutic approach. This study highlights the importance of multidisciplinary management, with reference to the central role of the oncology nurse, in ensuring continuity of care and emotional support for the patient. Further studies, including a larger number of patients, are needed to improve clinical management and ensure better clinical outcomes and quality of life for these patients.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12608/80702