A Case of the Development of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia druing Pregnancy

Oh, Sin Jung; Rhee, In Sook; Lee, Jeong Jae; Lee, Kwon Hae; Kim, Won Bae; Lee, D H

Abstract

The development of leukemia during pregnancy is rare and difficult to diagnosis and treatment. Acute leukemias are among the most common malignant neoplasms of young women, but paradoxically, their incidence complicating pregnancy is cited to be 0.9 to 1.2 cases per 100,000. l'he signs and symptoms of acut:e leukemia may mask the signs and symptoms of early pregnancy. 'I'he occurrence of acute leukemia during pregnancy raises many therapeut,ic and ethical dilemmas because of the potential tetatogenic effects of chemotherapy and the danger of fetal wastage, in addition to the well-known problem of marrow suppression in the mother. We experienced a case where diagnosis of a woman at the 15 gestational weeks revealed acute lymphocytic leukemia and immediate treatment. as well as termination of pregnancy was made to prevent abnormal neonatal birth. We present this case with review of related literatures.