Counseling and surveillance of obstetrical risks for female childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors: recommendations from the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group

Female childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors have an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes related to their cancer- or treatment-associated sequelae. Optimal care for childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors can be facilitated by clinical practice guidelines that identify specific adverse pregnancy outcomes and the clinical characteristics of at-risk subgroups. However, national guidelines are scarce and vary in content. Here, the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group offers recommendations for the counseling and surveillance of obstetrical risks of childhood, adolescent, and young adult survivors. A systematic literature search in MEDLINE database (through PubMed) to identify all available evidence published between January 1990 and December 2018. Published articles on pregnancy and perinatal or congenital risks in female cancer survivors were screened for eligibility. Study designs with a sample size larger than 40 pregnancies in childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors (diagnosed before the age of 25 years, not pregnant at that time) were eligible. This guideline from the International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group systematically appraised the quality of available evidence for adverse obstetrical outcomes in childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology and formulated recommendations to enhance evidence-based obstetrical care and preconception counseling of female childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors. Healthcare providers should discuss the risk of adverse obstetrical outcomes based on cancer treatment exposures with all female childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors of reproductive age, before conception. Healthcare providers should be aware that there is no evidence to support an increased risk of giving birth to a child with congenital anomalies (high-quality evidence). Survivors treated with radiotherapy to volumes exposing the uterus and their healthcare providers should be aware of the risk of adverse obstetrical outcomes such as miscarriage (moderate-quality evidence), premature birth (high-quality evidence), and low birthweight (high-quality evidence); therefore, high-risk obstetrical surveillance is recommended. Cardiomyopathy surveillance is reasonable before pregnancy or in the first trimester for all female survivors treated with anthracyclines and chest radiation. Female cancer survivors have increased risks of premature delivery and low birthweight associated with radiotherapy targeting the lower body and thereby exposing the uterus, which warrant high-risk pregnancy surveillance.

Automated summary

Female childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors are at increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes related to their cancer treatment. Clinical practice guidelines are essential in identifying and addressing these risks, but national guidelines are currently lacking. The International Late Effects of Childhood Cancer Guideline Harmonization Group offers recommendations for counseling and surveillance to enhance evidence-based obstetrical care for this population.