In Australia, woman gives birth to healthy son after chemotherapy — ABC News Australia
In Australia, 28-year-old Jaya Banks gave birth to a healthy son, Harvey, after treatment for advanced-stage Hodgkin lymphoma, during which she underwent intensive chemotherapy while pregnant. This was reported by ABC News Australia.
At 14 weeks of pregnancy, the Sunshine Coast resident was found to have growths in her neck, underarms, chest and abdominal cavity. The growth in her abdomen measured 10 centimetres in diameter. At 15 weeks of pregnancy, Banks began treatment at Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
Treatment during pregnancy
Alana Phillips, a clinical nurse consultant in the haematology department, said that the patient's treatment plan was developed by a multidisciplinary team involving specialists in obstetric medicine, maternity care, neonatology and oncology. According to her, most fetal development occurs during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, which is why chemotherapy is started after this period.
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During treatment, Jaya Banks experienced medication-induced fever, fatigue, nausea, low iron levels and anaemia. Rebecca Shakhovskoy, a senior specialist in general and obstetric medicine, noted that due to the significant volume of cancer cells, the patient had increased risks of blood clots, infections and developing diabetes, and therefore required additional monitoring during pregnancy.
Delivery and remission
Jaya Banks' labour was induced at 37 weeks of pregnancy. Harvey was born on 20 July weighing just over two kilograms, had no health problems and spent one night in hospital. Three weeks after his birth, Banks' cancer went into remission.
Rebecca Shakhovskoy noted that cancer during pregnancy is sometimes detected late because its symptoms may overlap with pregnancy symptoms. According to her, globally, cancer diagnosed during pregnancy or within 12 months after childbirth occurs in approximately one case per thousand.
