Chronic myeloid leukaemia in pregnancy: call for guidelines

Abstract

Although the incidence of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) in pregnancy is low, it is progressively rising. The management strategies for CML patients during pregnancy include tyrosine kinase inhibitors, interferon alpha, leukapheresis and hydroxyurea, each of which has their own deleterious effects on the mother and foetus. There are virtually no accepted guidelines on the therapeutic options for these patients. We report two cases of CML which were reported to us during pregnancy, on imatinib, with different ultimate pregnancy outcomes. We do believe that it is high time professional bodies frame guidelines for the management of these patients.

Keywords:

• General obstetrics
• gynaecological oncology