Pregnancy, Cancer, and Radiation-A Modern Refresher

Authors

• Kelly Kisling
• Sandra M Meyers
• Rebecca Milman
• Susan Richardson
• Christina Chapman
• Justine Dupere
• Grace Eliason
• Suzanne Evans
• Titania Juang
• Young Lee
• Jeffrey Masten
• Julia Maues
• Rachel Newman
• Mike Silosky
• Catherine Song
• Catheryn Yashar
• Sara Thrower

Language

English

Publication Date

3-3-2026

Journal

JNCI Cancer Spectrum

DOI

10.1093/jncics/pkag007

PMID

41604305

PMCID

PMC13019141

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

1-28-2026

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

Cancer occurs in ∼1 per 1000 pregnancies; thousands of patients may require radiation procedures for diagnosis and treatment each year in the United States alone. This rare but high-risk scenario, coupled with fear of radiation, has created ambiguity in the ideal management of pregnant patients. Without a comprehensive guide for the use of radiation in imaging and treatment for pregnant cancer patients, it is difficult for providers to offer optimal patient-centered care without introducing disparities. The goal of this paper is to provide guidance on the use of radiation for screening, diagnosis, staging, and treatment of cancer, while highlighting gaps in existing knowledge and guidelines. The intention is that physicians, medical physicists, and patients could use this document as a resource for shared decision-making, ensuring safe and effective practice. A team of physicians and medical physicists with expertise in imaging, radiotherapy, and maternal fetal medicine was assembled, along with a patient advocate and lawyer. Existing guidelines and recent literature were reviewed. Authors also drew from their experience where published guidance was lacking. The resulting document discusses best practice to guide use of radiation for cancer, as well as patient-centered care management and legal considerations. Overall, it is possible to safely and effectively deliver radiation to pregnant patients in numerous circumstances. Use of radiation or other modalities should be discussed through shared decision-making with the physician and patient, contextualizing the maternal and fetal risk from treatments. Healthcare providers should support wide access to reproductive healthcare to allow equitable, evidence-based, patient-centered healthcare.

Keywords

Humans, Female, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic, Patient-Centered Care, Practice Guidelines as Topic, Decision Making, Shared, Neoplasms

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Kisling, Kelly; Meyers, Sandra M; Milman, Rebecca; et al., "Pregnancy, Cancer, and Radiation-A Modern Refresher" (2026). Faculty, Staff and Student Publications. 3893.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/uthmed_docs/3893