Treatment of infertility does not increase the risk of ovarian cancer among women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation

Abstract

Our findings suggest that treatment for infertility does not significantly increase the risk of ovarian cancer among women with a BRCA mutation.

Risk of ovarian cancer in women treated with ovarian stimulating drugs for infertility

“…Recent studies suggest that BRCA mutation carriers may have decreased ovarian reserve compared with women without BRCA mutations, as well as an earlier natural menopause (Finch 2013;Wang 2014). This may impact the fertility and reproductive health of BRCA mutation carriers; therefore two studies have looked at any relationship between fertility drugs and ovarian cancer in these groups of women (Gronwald 2015;Perri 2015 Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2004), another included only six cohort studies (Li 2013), one four cohort studies and three case-control studies (Gadducci 2013), and one nine cohort studies calculating the risk of ovarian cancer in infertile women treated with fertility drugs (Siristatidis 2013); yet another included 10 cohort studies (Tomao 2014). The authors for two of these meta-analyses reported a significantly elevated risk of ovarian cancer in treated subfertile women when compared to the general population (Kashyap 2003;Li 2013).…”

Use of fertility medications and cancer risk: a review and update

“…Both studies are small in size but reassuring [23] [24]. One cohort study of 1,073 BRCA mutation carriers, of which 164 (15%) patients received fertility treatment, showed no associated between fertility treatment and ovarian cancer, regardless of type of fertility treatment [24].…”

“…One cohort study of 1,073 BRCA mutation carriers, of which 164 (15%) patients received fertility treatment, showed no associated between fertility treatment and ovarian cancer, regardless of type of fertility treatment [24]. Another matched case-control study of 941 pairs of BRCA mutation carriers with and without a cancer diagnosis found no significant relationship between fertility medication use and subsequent risk of ovarian cancer [23]. …”

Treatment of infertility and the risk of ovarian cancer: are the data reassuring?

“…In this issue of Fertility and Sterility, Gronwald et al (4) investigated the use of fertility medications or infertility treatment and the risk of ovarian cancer among women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations. They used a matched case-control study design based on BRCA mutation type, age, parity, oral contraceptive use, and history of breast cancer, and they were able to enroll a total of 941 pairs in an international, multicenter trial.…”