Embryo Cryopreservation in Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer expected to occur in women in 2014, accounting for 29 % of incident cases among women. Approximately 11 % of all breast cancer cases occur in women <45 years. Most of those patients are likely to undergo adjuvant systemic chemotherapy with a significant impact on ovarian reserve and future reproductive potential. Embryo cryopreservation is the most established technique for fertility preservation. This procedure is an attractive strategy for fertility preservation in reproductive age breast cancer patients with available partner or willing to use donor semen. Some special considerations should be given to ovarian stimulation for fertility preservation in breast cancer patients. The development of ovarian stimulation protocols using aromatase inhibitor combined with gonadotropin appears to be effective and safe for breast cancer patients. In this chapter, we will appraise and summarize the current state of embryo cryopreservation in breast cancer patients in order to provide a better understanding of the efficacy and safety of this fertility preservation technique. Keywords Embryo cryopreservation • Breast cancer • Fertility preservation • Ovarian stimulation • Letrozole IntroductionBreast cancer is a major public health problem in the United States and lives up to large investments in research, prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment.Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer expected to occur in women in 2014, accounting for 29 % (232,670) of incident cases among women [1]. The relatively stable incidence rates during the past 5 years for which there are data reflect improvements in cancer control and screening methods. At the same time, the detection of cancer at an early stage and the development of the treatment