Motherhood Against All Odds: A Recovery Story from the Most Aggressive Type of Breast Cancer

Alexandra was only 22 when, instead of plans for motherhood and the future, she heard a terrifying diagnosis. Life seemed to be just beginning: a beloved job, a strong marriage, the support of loved ones. But months of unsuccessful attempts to get pregnant led her to a clinic, and a routine gynecological examination turned everything upside down.

The doctor noticed a lump in her breast and referred Alexandra for further testing. This is how she ended up at the A. Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Center, where specialists confirmed: the patient had triple-negative breast cancer.

“This aggressive type of tumor is characterized by the absence of estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 protein receptors, which significantly complicates the choice of treatment strategy”, – says Irina Zharikova, oncologist at the Gynecology and Breast Tumor Department 2 of the A.Tsyb Medical Radiological Research Center, PhD. “In addition, Alexandra was found to have a mutation in the BRCA1 gene, which explains the early onset of the tumor process and its rapid development. Considering the stage of the disease, our patient was first prescribed neoadjuvant chemotherapy, followed by a mastectomy with reconstruction using a prosthesis”.

Fortunately, the therapy proved to be highly effective — a complete tumor response was achieved, meaning the growth decreased. Subsequently, Alexandra underwent a prophylactic mastectomy of the second breast, which significantly reduced the risk of a tumor developing in the healthy organ.

It is important to note that such patients are recommended to undergo laparoscopic oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries) to reduce the risk of developing a second cancer — ovarian cancer. Considering the patient’s age and her unfulfilled reproductive function, the medical board decided to postpone this procedure to allow for reproductive function.

Two years after treatment, our heroine became pregnant and gave birth to a healthy boy. She continues to undergo the necessary examinations and remains in stable remission. Alexandra is once again considering motherhood and planning another pregnancy. After fulfilling her reproductive function, the young mother will undergo an oophorectomy to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.

“Women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations have a fivefold higher risk of developing breast cancer than usual. Genetic testing is essential if there is a family history of cancer (two or more blood relatives diagnosed with ‘breast cancer’ or ‘ovarian cancer’), or if a BRCA mutation has been confirmed in blood relatives” , – emphasizes Irina Anatolyevna.