News | Diagnosed with Breast Cancer During Pregnancy: NYU Langone Specialists Successfully Treat a 32-Year-Old Mother Through Multidisciplinary Care
A team of specialists at NYU Langone recently provided successful, comprehensive treatment for a 32-year-old mother diagnosed with breast cancer during pregnancy. Christina, a young mother from Westchester, was diagnosed with breast cancer two weeks after learning she was pregnant.
Christina is a former teacher. After feeling a breast lump during a self-examination, she realized something was wrong and promptly saw a doctor. Her family obstetrician-gynecologist recommended mammography, which is generally advised for women over age 40 or those with an inherited family risk. Christina advocated for her health and requested more extensive testing. Imaging and biopsy then confirmed breast cancer.
After the diagnosis, Christina was referred to NYU Langone's Perlmutter Cancer Center for joint care from breast surgical oncologist Mary L. Gemignani, MD, MPH, and medical oncologist Elizabeth Comen, MD. Other institutions had told her that treatment could not begin unless she ended the pregnancy. The NYU Langone team instead planned systematic treatment after her first trimester and developed a detailed, personalized care plan.
“My husband and I chose NYU Langone. They welcomed us, reassured me, and helped clarify my diagnosis and treatment path. It was the work of an entire team, not the opinion of one doctor,” Christina said.
Treating breast cancer during pregnancy requires multidisciplinary coordination and careful timing. Because Christina was diagnosed in the first trimester, chemotherapy was not initially an option. The team first performed surgery to remove the tumor, then began chemotherapy in the second trimester. Maternal-fetal medicine and oncology specialists worked closely throughout treatment to control the cancer without jeopardizing fetal health.
Dr. Mary L. Gemignani noted that as more women delay pregnancy, more young women are diagnosed with breast cancer before completing their families. Breast cancer incidence among people aged 20 to 39 has continued to rise over the past two decades. She emphasized: “We are committed to providing personalized, comprehensive care for young people with cancer, helping them preserve their quality of life and reproductive options during treatment. Cancer survivorship is increasingly a journey of individualized, whole-person care.”
NYU Langone's multidisciplinary team communicated frequently throughout treatment. Justin S. Brandt, MD, head of maternal-fetal medicine, coordinated continuously with oncology to assess the feasibility of chemotherapy at each stage. Through this collaboration, Christina completed surgery and chemotherapy and delivered her daughter Isabella at 39 weeks.
Dr. Brandt said: “We provide additional monitoring for pregnant patients with cancer. In addition to routine prenatal care, we monitor fetal growth monthly and conduct a weekly fetal biophysical profile from 32 weeks to assess fetal health.”
Christina credits her positive approach to treatment to her family's steadfast support. Her husband Jeremy and other relatives and friends accompanied her to every appointment, cared for her 4-year-old son, and provided emotional support. Her treatment is now nearing completion, her prognosis is favorable, and she continues to recover under follow-up care from the NYU Langone team.
News | Diagnosed with Breast Cancer During Pregnancy: NYU Langone Specialists Successfully Treat a 32-Year-Old Mother Through Multidisciplinary Care
News | Diagnosed with Breast Cancer During Pregnancy: NYU Langone Specialists Successfully Treat a 32-Year-Old Mother Through Multidisciplinary Care
A team of specialists at NYU Langone recently provided successful, comprehensive treatment for a 32-year-old mother diagnosed with breast cancer during pregnancy. Christina, a young mother from Westchester, was diagnosed with breast cancer two weeks after learning she was pregnant.
Christina is a former teacher. After feeling a breast lump during a self-examination, she realized something was wrong and promptly saw a doctor. Her family obstetrician-gynecologist recommended mammography, which is generally advised for women over age 40 or those with an inherited family risk. Christina advocated for her health and requested more extensive testing. Imaging and biopsy then confirmed breast cancer.
After the diagnosis, Christina was referred to NYU Langone's Perlmutter Cancer Center for joint care from breast surgical oncologist Mary L. Gemignani, MD, MPH, and medical oncologist Elizabeth Comen, MD. Other institutions had told her that treatment could not begin unless she ended the pregnancy. The NYU Langone team instead planned systematic treatment after her first trimester and developed a detailed, personalized care plan.
“My husband and I chose NYU Langone. They welcomed us, reassured me, and helped clarify my diagnosis and treatment path. It was the work of an entire team, not the opinion of one doctor,” Christina said.
Treating breast cancer during pregnancy requires multidisciplinary coordination and careful timing. Because Christina was diagnosed in the first trimester, chemotherapy was not initially an option. The team first performed surgery to remove the tumor, then began chemotherapy in the second trimester. Maternal-fetal medicine and oncology specialists worked closely throughout treatment to control the cancer without jeopardizing fetal health.
Dr. Mary L. Gemignani noted that as more women delay pregnancy, more young women are diagnosed with breast cancer before completing their families. Breast cancer incidence among people aged 20 to 39 has continued to rise over the past two decades. She emphasized: “We are committed to providing personalized, comprehensive care for young people with cancer, helping them preserve their quality of life and reproductive options during treatment. Cancer survivorship is increasingly a journey of individualized, whole-person care.”
NYU Langone's multidisciplinary team communicated frequently throughout treatment. Justin S. Brandt, MD, head of maternal-fetal medicine, coordinated continuously with oncology to assess the feasibility of chemotherapy at each stage. Through this collaboration, Christina completed surgery and chemotherapy and delivered her daughter Isabella at 39 weeks.
Dr. Brandt said: “We provide additional monitoring for pregnant patients with cancer. In addition to routine prenatal care, we monitor fetal growth monthly and conduct a weekly fetal biophysical profile from 32 weeks to assess fetal health.”
Christina credits her positive approach to treatment to her family's steadfast support. Her husband Jeremy and other relatives and friends accompanied her to every appointment, cared for her 4-year-old son, and provided emotional support. Her treatment is now nearing completion, her prognosis is favorable, and she continues to recover under follow-up care from the NYU Langone team.
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