OAK BROOK, Ill. — October 20, 2025 — Just weeks after learning she was pregnant with her fourth child, Stephanie Wysaski of Naperville watched a segment on television about the importance of breast self-exams— something she rarely did.

“I thought, ‘I guess I should do that. Why not?’ And sure enough, I found a lump,” said Wysaski.

Still nursing her then-11-month-old and newly pregnant, Wysaski wasn’t worried.  Figuring it was hormones, but she brought it up to her OB-GYN at her pregnancy confirmation appointment.

“She wasn't concerned either but ordered an ultrasound as a precaution. And then, sure enough, the ultrasound showed something they didn't recognize, which led to a mammogram, biopsy, and then I got the diagnosis.”

At eight weeks pregnant, Wysaski was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma in her left breast.

Treating breast cancer during pregnancy

Wysaski turned to Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center Oak Brook, where she met Annabelle Veerapaneni, MD, a medical oncologist.

“It's definitely not a common scenario, treating a pregnant woman who also has cancer, but it's one that we have seen in the past, and one that I'm familiar with, unfortunately,” Veerapaneni said.

She assured Wysaski there are treatment options that would not harm her baby.

“The only way out is through,” Wysaski said. “I have great doctors. They've been really supportive about the pregnancy and making sure that the baby's safe, that I'm comfortable, and we're doing all that we can and managing it as best we can.”

Understanding Invasive Lobular Carcinoma

Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) accounts for approximately 10-15% of all breast cancer cases and is the second most common type of invasive breast cancer.

“The majority of invasive breast cancers that we usually see are considered invasive ductal carcinomas, and they present in a certain way where you can identify a discrete mass on breast imaging,” Dr. Veerapaneni said.

“Invasive lobular carcinoma can be very tricky to identify because it is not readily seen on mammograms, and there's an insidious nature in the way that it can spread throughout the breast tissue, so breast MRI is very helpful,” Dr. Veerapaneni said.

Wysaski’s pregnancy, however, left the clinical team unable to optimize imaging to learn the extent of her disease.

“It's very challenging to assess disease extent without the IV contrast, and we were unable to give it safely during her pregnancy,” Dr. Veerapaneni said.

Surgery and unexpected Findings

To remove the mass that was detected on standard imaging, Wysaski underwent a lumpectomy with Faaiza Vaince, MD, a Northwestern Medicine breast surgeon. While in surgery, Vaince unexpectedly found what looked like tendrils attached to the mass.

“The lump, or the mass, was a little bit bigger than we thought, but the imaging hadn’t shown those tendrils that were growing out from it as well,” Wysaski said.

 Once those tendrils were biopsied, it was determined they were cancerous as well.

Chemotherapy while pregnant

Wysaski is currently undergoing four rounds of two specific types of chemotherapy which are safe during pregnancy.

“We're treating her with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide, which has been shown to be safe whenever we administer it after the first trimester. She's tolerated her treatment very, very well,” Dr. Veerapaneni said.

Wysaski has experienced hair loss and fatigue from the chemotherapy infusions which are spaced three weeks apart to maximize the medications’ effectiveness before the baby is born.

Dr. Veerapaneni is in regular contact with Wysaski’s OB-GYN and a local Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) team, which is monitoring the growing baby.

“It's unexpected and it's hard, but the baby's healthy and I'm going to be okay. We are doing what we have to do,” Wysaski said.

Planning for an early delivery

While the baby, a little girl, is not due until early December, the decision has been made for Wysaski to deliver early, at 34 weeks, enabling her to continue aggressive treatment. She’s expected to be induced in late October.

“Once the baby has been delivered, she will undergo diagnostic imaging to help clarify how much disease we're dealing with,” Dr. Veerapaneni said.

Already a mother to three children ages 6, 4 and 14 months, Wysaski acknowledges the uncertainty ahead is challenging.

“It's a lot thinking about having a newborn, possibly a preemie in the NICU, and then possibly surgery, probably more chemo and then radiation,” Wysaski said.

“She is being treated with curative intent. It will be incredibly challenging with a newborn and then a young family as well, but she definitely has exhibited the strength and the fortitude to be able to carry through with everything,” Dr. Veerapaneni said.

About Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center Oak Brook

Anchored by the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center Oak Brook brings together highly skilled caregivers at one west suburban location.

With a state-of-the-art infusion center, an on-site infusion pharmacy and lab, PET/CT/MRI imaging on site, the Cancer Center Oak Brook offers comprehensive care from early diagnosis through treatment and aftercare.

“The opportunity to be able to take care of patients in a multidisciplinary fashion with all of these resources available is something that's incredibly important to me, and especially whenever we’re able to do that for patients closer to their homes,” Dr. Veerapaneni said.

“It makes it a lot easier having to come to so many appointments. I'm here every week, sometimes twice a week, so it makes a big difference,” Wysaski said.

To learn more about the Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center Oak Brook, visit nm.org.