Successful pregnancy in a woman with acute myeloid leukemia treated with high-dose whole-body irradiation

BACKGROUND: Although radiotherapy is an integral part of managing certain types of hematologic malignancies, its effect on the reproductive system are well established. We report a case of successful pregnancy in a patient who received high-dose whole-body irradiation (WBI) (1,575 cGy) as part of her treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). CASE: A 26-year-old woman received high-dose cyclophosphamide accompanied by high-dose (1,575 cGy) WBI as part of her treatment for AML when she was 23 years of age. The patient received oral contraceptives before, during and after treatment. After WBI, the patient developed ovarian failure and amenorrhea, which was confirmed by hormonal evaluation. The amenorrhea persisted for one year. No recurrence of AML was found. The patient was placed on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) because of vasomotor changes. An unexpected pregnancy occurred 14 months later; HRT was discontinued. The patient delivered a normal female infant at 38 weeks of gestation. The infant was followed for eight months; her development appeared to be normal. CONCLUSION: In this case report, it is unclear whether pregnancy resulted from active folliculogenesis remote from radiation therapy or from possible ovarian protection rendered by the use of oral contraceptives. The benefit of oral contraceptives in protecting the ovary from radiation injury is unknown and remains an area for future research.