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Pregnancy and AML

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Last Modified: May 11, 2003

Dear OncoLink "Ask The Experts,"
I received a stem cell transplant for Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) two years ago. I was told I'd never be able to have children and -- lo and behold -- I'm pregnant! I of course will be seeing a specialist who can monitor the baby, but I have a friend who has heard that pregnancy can cause a relapse of some cancers. Does my pregnancy put me in any danger? 

Selina M. Luger, MD, Director of the Leukemia Program and Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, responds:

Although there are some concerns about pregnancy in some cancers, there is no evidence that pregnancy has any effect on the risk of relapse/recurrence in AML. Although the chemotherapy used for standard bone marrow transplantation almost always results in sterility, there have been a few patients (men and women) who have successfully had children after transplant. I get a family photo every year from a patient of mine who had a daughter after his transplant 10 years ago. Good luck with your pregnancy!