ABSTRACT

The potential of cancer chemotherapeutic agents1 and high-energy radiation to cause mutations has caused concern among patients and physicians about the possible adverse effects of treatment on pregnancies that occur either during or following treatment for childhood cancer. These effects have been studied in experimental animals. Evidence of an increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcome, as manifested by an increased rate of spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, premature birth, birth defects or cancer in the offspring has been sought in survivor populations.