Doctors at TGH OncoLife Cancer Centre successfully performed a life-saving right mastectomy on a 27-year-old woman who was 26 weeks pregnant after diagnosing her with a rare high-grade breast sarcoma. The multidisciplinary team treated the mother while ensuring the safety of her unborn baby without terminating the pregnancy.
Breast sarcomas account for less than one percent of all breast cancers, making their occurrence during pregnancy extremely rare.
Timely Surgery Prevented Life-Threatening Complications
The patient, Mrs. Soni Kumari from Lonavala, had noticed a lump in her right breast several months earlier but assumed it was a pregnancy-related change. When she developed a persistent fever and the wound worsened, she sought medical attention at TGH OncoLife Cancer Centre.
Doctors found a rapidly enlarging breast tumour with a severe infection. A biopsy confirmed high-grade breast sarcoma. According to the press release, the infection posed a serious risk of progressing to sepsis, while chemotherapy has only a limited role in treating this cancer, making surgery the only life-saving option. Pregnancy also restricted the use of PET scans and other radiation-based investigations.
The medical team performed a right mastectomy on July 2, completing the surgery within an hour while continuously monitoring the unborn baby. The patient recovered well and was discharged on July 4. Follow-up examinations confirmed that both the mother and baby are doing well.
Dr. Utkarsh Ajgaonkar, Consultant Surgical Oncologist, TGH OncoLife Cancer Centre, said, “The patient presented with a rapidly growing breast tumour and severe infection that could have progressed to life-threatening sepsis. Since chemotherapy has limited effectiveness in this rare cancer, surgery was the only viable treatment. Early diagnosis is critical because these tumours can easily be mistaken for common breast lumps during pregnancy.”
He added that the patient will remain under close monitoring throughout her pregnancy. After delivery, doctors will perform a PET scan to determine whether the cancer has spread and decide on further treatment if required.
Anaesthesia Team Played a Critical Role
Dr. Vishvas Koul, Head of Anaesthesia & Critical Care, said, “Managing anaesthesia for major cancer surgery during pregnancy is highly challenging because both the mother and the unborn baby must be protected. Continuous fetal monitoring and close coordination between the surgical, anaesthesia, obstetric and neonatal teams ensured a safe outcome.”
Expressing her gratitude, the patient said, “Being diagnosed with breast cancer during pregnancy was terrifying. My biggest fear was losing my baby. The doctors gave me hope and cared for both of us every step of the way. Today, knowing my baby is safe is the greatest blessing, and I will always be grateful to the entire team.”
Early Diagnosis Can Save Lives
Dr. Ajgaonkar said the case highlights the importance of early diagnosis, multidisciplinary care, and personalised treatment in managing rare cancers during pregnancy, helping protect both the mother and the unborn child.