What should I do if I find out about leukemia during pregnancy? Will it be passed on to my child? Can I wait until after I have the baby to treat it?

by Specialist

Leukemia in healthy adults is largely acquired, and even with leukemia-associated genetic mutations, it is not passed on to the fetus via germ cells. Unless the fetus and the pregnant woman are exposed to the same leukemia-causing factors during pregnancy (e.g., exposure to toxic and harmful substances such as benzene, high levels of ionizing radiation, etc.), there is some probability that the fetus will have congenital leukemia at the same time, but this is extremely rare.

The detection of leukemia during pregnancy depends on whether it is acute or chronic.

Acute leukemia

Acute leukemia has a rapid onset and progression, and survival is only about 3 months if not treated aggressively.

  • So if acute leukemia is diagnosed in early to mid-pregnancy, chemotherapy is recommended after termination of pregnancy.

  • If acute leukemia is diagnosed in late pregnancy, a cesarean section can be performed first if the fetus is assessed to be sufficiently viable, and then chemotherapy for leukemia can be administered after the incision has healed well, with appropriate supportive therapy such as anti-infection and blood transfusion for the mother during the incision healing period.

    • Chronic leukemia

    Chronic leukemia progresses relatively slowly and has a long survival period.

    • Early symptoms that are not obvious can wait until after delivery before treatment.

    • Termination of pregnancy should also be considered at this time if symptoms are severe and affect fetal development (e.g., severe anemia due to disease) or if chemotherapy drugs are needed to control the disease and the drugs can be disabling and teratogenic to the fetus.