Gestational breast cancer in a patient with Crohn’s disease: two case reports

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of breast cancer during gestation is a rare occurrence. In addition, the diagnosis of breast cancer in a patient with Crohn’s disease is not common. We present a rare case of gestational breast cancer in a patient with Crohn’s disease, with a concurrent breast cancer diagnosis in her sister. CASE PRESENTATION: A 31-year-old Syrian woman with Crohn’s disease was diagnosed with breast cancer at 30 weeks gestation; she received neoadjuvant chemotherapy during gestation. Incidentally, her 37-year-old sister was also diagnosed concomitantly with breast cancer. Both sisters underwent and successfully completed surgery and adjuvant therapy. At a 5-year review, both patients showed no signs of recurrence. The Crohn’s disease symptoms have also improved after chemotherapy, and the baby born after gestational chemotherapy is currently 5 years old with normal psychomotor development and without any congenital malformations. CONCLUSIONS: This case report highlights the impact of gestation on breast cancer outcomes, the possibility of giving chemotherapy during gestation, and the effect of chemotherapy on the symptoms of Crohn’s disease. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13256-021-03224-3.