Prenatal Blood Test Can Reveal Hidden Cancer in Mothers
Unexpected revelation: Prenatal Blood Tests Reveal Hidden Cancers in Some Moms-to-Be
A routine prenatal blood test designed to screen for fetal disorders like Down syndrome is unexpectedly uncovering a hidden threat in some pregnant women: cancer.
A groundbreaking study published in the New England Journal of Medicine reveals that unusual results from cell-free DNA sequencing tests, typically used to detect fetal abnormalities, can sometimes be a sign of cancer in the mother.
The study, led by Dr. Diana Bianchi of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Growth, followed 107 pregnant women with atypical test results. A staggering 52 of these women were ultimately diagnosed with cancer. While most received treatment and are now in remission, seven women with advanced cancers tragically passed away.
“They looked like healthy,young women and they reported themselves as being healthy,” dr. Bianchi said, highlighting the unexpected nature of these findings.
The most common cancers detected were lymphoma, followed by colon and breast cancers.
Cell-free DNA sequencing, the test in question, analyzes DNA fragments shed from the placenta into the mother’s bloodstream. While primarily used to detect fetal DNA, it can also pick up fragments shed by cancer cells.
Out of millions of pregnant women who undergo this test annually, approximately 1 in 10,000 recieve results that are difficult to interpret, neither confirming nor ruling out a fetal abnormality.This small subset, possibly numbering around 250 women in the U.S. each year, may be at risk for cancer.
“They and their care providers need to take the results seriously and have additional testing because in that population there is a 48% risk of cancer,” Dr. Bianchi emphasized.the study recommends a whole-body MRI scan as the most effective follow-up test for women with these unusual results. Dr. Bianchi stressed that a physical exam or reviewing family history alone is insufficient.
The study, funded by the National Institutes of health, involved participants traveling to a research hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, for complete evaluations, including MRI scans and other tests.
Researchers identified a distinct “chaotic” pattern in the DNA sequencing of women diagnosed with cancer, providing a potential biomarker for future screening efforts. The study is ongoing, aiming to gather more evidence to refine cancer screening protocols.
While cell-free DNA tests are increasingly recommended during pregnancy, some expectant parents opt out due to concerns about false alarms for rare fetal problems. This new finding adds another layer of complexity to the decision-making process.
Dr. Neeta Vora, director of reproductive genetics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who wrote an accompanying editorial, highlighted the need to educate doctors about this rare but important finding.
“doctors who care for pregnant women are not accustomed to ordering whole-body MRI tests,” Dr. Vora noted, adding that these scans, wich can cost thousands of dollars, may not be covered by insurance.
This research underscores the importance of ongoing scientific inquiry and its potential to uncover unexpected health risks, ultimately leading to improved care for both mothers and their babies.
Prenatal Blood Test Reveals Hidden Cancers in Some Moms-to-Be
A routine pregnancy blood test designed to detect fetal abnormalities is unexpectedly uncovering a hidden threat in some expectant mothers: cancer.
This groundbreaking finding, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, stems from a study led by Dr. Diana Bianchi of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Growth. Dr. Bianchi and her team followed 107 pregnant women wiht unusual results from cell-free DNA sequencing tests. These tests, typically used to screen for fetal disorders like Down syndrome, analyze DNA fragments in the mother’s blood.
Astonishingly, 52 of these women were ultimately diagnosed with cancer. While most received treatment and are now in remission, seven women with advanced cancers tragically passed away.
“They looked like healthy, young women and they reported themselves as being healthy,” Dr. Bianchi said, highlighting the unexpected nature of these findings. The most common cancers detected were lymphoma, followed by colon and breast cancers.
A Call for Further Investigation
Out of the millions of pregnant women who undergo this test annually,approximately 1 in 10,000 receive results that are tough to interpret. In this small subset, possibly numbering around 250 women in the U.S. each year, the risk of cancer is alarmingly high.
“They and their care providers need to take the results seriously and have additional testing because in that population there is a 48% risk of cancer,” Dr. Bianchi emphasized. The study recommends a whole-body MRI scan as the most effective follow-up test for women with these unusual results.
Navigating Ethical Implications
While cell-free DNA tests are increasingly recommended during pregnancy, some expectant parents opt out due to concerns about false alarms for rare fetal problems.This new finding adds another layer of complexity to the decision-making process.
dr. Neeta Vora, director of reproductive genetics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who wrote an accompanying editorial, emphasized the need to educate doctors about this rare but vital finding.
“Doctors who care for pregnant women are not accustomed to ordering whole-body MRI tests,” Dr. Vora noted, adding that these scans, which can cost thousands of dollars, may not be covered by insurance.
This research underscores the importance of ongoing scientific inquiry and its potential to uncover unexpected health risks, ultimately leading to improved care for both mothers and their babies.