title: Infertility treatment and the risk of cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A possible correlation between hormonal stimulation during treatment of infertility and the risk of cancer of the breast, the ovaries, the cervix or the uterus has been investigated in a number of epidemiological studies. The purpose of this article is to review the relevant literature and summarise the findings. KNOWLEDGE BASE: This review article is based on literature searches in the databases MEDLINE, Cochrane and EMBASE.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No studies showed a specific general correlation between hormonal ovulatory stimulation used as pre-treatment to assisted fertilisation and an increased risk of cancer of the breast, the ovaries, the cervix or the uterus. Most studies detected no increased risk. Some studies, however, showed an increased risk of cancer among certain sub-groups, such as women who have received repeated treatment with clomiphene citrate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On the basis of the studies reviewed, the conclusions are ambiguous. It is therefore necessary to monitor the long-term effects of infertility treatment on women's health. Further good-quality large-scale population studies are necessary, with longer follow-up periods and better adjustment for confounding factors.
authors: Norwegian Resource Centre for Women's Health, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Women and Children's Division, Norway. ritsa.storeng@rikshospitalet.no
authors: Ritsa
authors: R
authors: Storeng
authors: Siri
authors: S
authors: Vangen
authors: Anne Katerine
authors: AK
authors: Omland
authors: Nan Birgitte
authors: NB
authors: Oldereid
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002996:Clomiphene / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D043373:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D007315:Insemination, Artificial; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000009:adverse effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D043373:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human; D002996:Clomiphene