Fertility status of Hodgkin lymphoma patients treated with chemotherapy and adjuvant gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues.
OBJECTIVE
Aim of this prospective observational study was to analyze fertility status of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients treated with different types of chemotherapy while receiving GnRH analogues to preserve ovarian function.


METHODS
Fertility status was assessed among 108 females in reproductive age treated by curative chemotherapy for freshly diagnosed HL between 2005 and 2010 in university-based tertiary fertility and oncology center. All patients received GnRH analogues during chemotherapy to preserve their ovarian function. Their reproductive functions were assessed by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) measurement and pregnancy achievement. Ovarian function was determined separately in three groups with increasing gonadotoxicity of chemotherapy.


RESULTS
One year following the treatment, normal ovarian function was found in 89 (82.4%) of patients. Two years after chemotherapy, 98 (90.7%) of patients retained their ovarian function, and 23 (21.3%) achieved clinical pregnancy during the follow-up period. Average FSH after chemotherapy was 11.6 ± 17.9 IU/l 1 year after the treatment resp. 9.0 ± 13.8 at the 2 years interval. There were significantly more patients with chemotherapy induced diminished ovarian reserve (chDOR) among the group receiving escalated BEACOPP chemotherapy in comparison with the other types of treatment (58.1% vs. 87.9% resp. 95.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
The rate of chDOR is significantly higher after EB poly-chemotherapy and there is no tendency for improvement in time. The 2 + 2 chemotherapy with GnRH-a required for more advanced HL retained ovarian function significantly better after 2 years. Another important advantage of GnRH-a co-treatment is the excellent control of patient's menstrual cycle.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Brno University Hospital and Masaryk University Medical School, Jihlavska 20, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic, martin.huser@gmail.com.
M
M
Huser
L
L
Smardova
P
P
Janku
I
I
Crha
J
J
Zakova
P
P
Stourac
J
J
Jarkovsky
J
J
Mayer
P
P
Ventruba
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D059247:Fertility Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone