Can Cancer Be Transmitted from Mother to Child During Pregnancy?

Cancer is a formidable disease that raises many questions, particularly when it affects a pregnant woman. One of the most sensitive concerns is whether cancer can be passed from mother to child during pregnancy. While this phenomenon is extremely rare, a few documented cases shed light on the mechanisms involved and the real risks.

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An exceptional but possible occurrence

Maternal-to-fetal transmission of cancer is one of the rarest complications of pregnancy. Medical reports suggest that fewer than 20 confirmed cases exist in scientific literature. This underscores not only the rarity of the event but also its clinical significance, as it raises major ethical and medical challenges.

How can cancer cross the placental barrier?

The placenta serves as a protective filter between the mother and the fetus, blocking most harmful cells. However, in rare cases, particularly aggressive cancer cells can bypass this barrier.

• Malignant melanoma is the cancer most commonly linked to maternal-to-fetal transmission, followed by leukemia and lymphoma.
• Even when cancer cells enter the fetal bloodstream, they must evade the child’s immune defenses, which greatly reduces the likelihood of tumor development.

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Consequences for the newborn

When transmission occurs, cancer cells may implant themselves in the infant’s tissues. Symptoms usually appear within months after birth and require prompt diagnosis.
Fortunately, thanks to medical advances, some children in these rare situations have been successfully treated with surgery, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy.

Managing cancer during pregnancy

The medical priority is to safeguard both mother and child. In most cases, doctors select carefully adapted treatments, such as certain chemotherapy protocols considered safe after the first trimester. Multidisciplinary monitoring involving oncologists, obstetricians, and pediatricians is essential.

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Prevention and reassurance

It is important to emphasize that maternal-to-fetal cancer transmission is exceptionally rare. The risk is far lower than that of other pregnancy-related complications. Nonetheless, vigilance and early cancer detection in pregnant women remain crucial to ensure the best possible care.

The possibility of transmitting cancer from mother to child in utero does exist, but it remains extraordinarily rare. The protective role of the placenta, the resilience of the fetal immune system, and modern medical progress all help minimize the risks. Rather than a widespread danger, it is a scientific rarity worth acknowledging, without fueling unnecessary fear among expectant mothers.

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