In utero exposure to therapeutic radiation for Hodgkin lymphoma.

QUESTION: One of my patients was incidentally found to be pregnant after completion of radiotherapy for Hodgkin lymphoma. What are the possible effects that I should discuss with her before she makes a final decision regarding continuation of her pregnancy? ANSWER: Radiotherapy might not be an absolute contraindication in pregnant women who are diagnosed with cancer located in areas remote from the pelvis. However, the fetal exposure should be carefully estimated, and the known dose-response information has to be discussed individually to allow informed decisions to be made.