Live birth and maternity outcome in childhood and adolescent cancer survivors under 18 years at diagnosis: a 40-year population-based cohort study

Background
Survival from childhood and adolescent cancer has increased, but the chance of a livebirth in female survivors under 18 years at diagnosis may be reduced.

Methods

We performed a national population-based analysis, including all female cancer survivors diagnosed in Scotland before the age of 18 years between 1981 and 2012. Scottish Cancer Registry records were linked to Scottish maternity records. Females from the exposed group with no pregnancies before cancer diagnosis (n  = 2118) were compared with three general population controls matched for age and year of diagnosis.

Findings

The cumulative incidence of a livebirth for all diagnoses was reduced to 37% (95% CI 33–40%) for cancer survivors at 30 years of age vs 58% (57–60%) for controls. The deficit varying by diagnosis: for lymphoid leukaemia, the cumulative incidence at 30 years was 29% (23–36%) vs 57% (52–61%) for controls with similar deficits in CNS tumours and retinoblastoma. There was a steady improvement in the chance of livebirth in those diagnosed more recently.

Interpretation

We have shown a reduced chance of livebirth in female survivors of cancer diagnosed before age 18. The deficit is present for all diagnoses.