Ovarian stimulation: is there a long-term risk for ovarian, breast and endometrial cancer?
Adverse effects have been related to infertility treatments. Infertility in general, and female infertility in particular, is a well established risk factor for cancer development, especially ovarian, breast and endometrial cancer. This article addresses the possible association between infertility and cancer development, with an emphasis on the influence of infertility treatments, through a meticulous search of the literature published thus far. While results regarding the possible association of infertility, ovulation induction medications and invasive ovarian cancer show no increased risk and are reassuring, results for increased risk for breast cancer and endometrial cancer following exposure to ovarian stimulation medications are inconclusive. Larger population studies with longer periods of follow-up and better adjustment for confounding factors are needed.
Women & Children's Health Research Unit, Gertner Institute for Epidemiology & Health Policy Research, Tel Hashomer, Israel. liatl@gertner.health.gov.il
L
L
Lerner-Geva
J
J
Rabinovici
B
B
Lunenfeld
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000150:complications*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors