Egg retrieval with cryopreservation does not delay breast cancer treatment.
BACKGROUND
Infertility is a concern to young women diagnosed with breast cancer. Advances in fertility technology have made it possible to bank fertilized embryos.


METHODS
Twenty-three women, ages 27 to 40 years, underwent stimulation/oocyte retrieval before the start of adjuvant therapies. Time intervals between retrieval and therapeutic procedures were analyzed.


RESULTS
The average stimulation to egg retrieval was 11.5 days (range 9-20 d). The average time interval from first evaluation to oocyte retrieval was 33.3 days (range 10-65 d). Overall, the mean time from definitive surgery to initiation of chemotherapy was 46.8 days (n = 20). For 6 patients referred by surgeons, the mean time from fertility consult to retrieval was 48.8 days (range 16-118 d), and from definitive surgery to initiation of chemotherapy was 45 days (range 15-93 d).


CONCLUSIONS
Egg retrieval cryopreservation can be integrated with breast cancer work-up and surgical procedures. Early referrals to a fertility specialist by surgeons will help patients' safeguard future childbearing.
Madrigrano
Andrea
A
Department of Surgery, Stanford University Medical Center, 300 Pasteur Dr, RM H3625, Stanford, CA 94305-5655, USA.
Westphal
Lynn
L
Wapnir
Irene
I
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology; D009865:Oocytes; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting