Background: Gonadal dysfunction is one of the major late complications after cancer diagnosis and treatment. The best markers of ovarian reserve in clinical practice are antral follicle count (AFC) and ovarian volume. We aimed to study the prevalence of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) and evaluate anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and other serum markers for ovarian function in adult women who were childhood cancer survivors (CCS) in comparison with a control group.
Material and methods: Altogether, 167 female CCS were compared to 164 matched controls. Prevalence of POI was documented and serum levels of AMH, inhibin B, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and estradiol (E2) were compared with AFC and ovarian volume.
Results: POI was reported in 22 (13%) of the CCS and in none of the controls. Serum levels of AMH, inhibin B, and FSH, but not E2, correlated significantly with AFC and ovarian volume; AMH showed the highest correlation. There was no difference between CCS and controls regarding the different serum markers as measured by linear regression analysis. ROC curve AUC for primary POI showed the highest values for AMH (0.930) and AFC (0.944). For AFC <10, ROC curve AUC showed highest value for AMH for CCS (0.866) and controls (0.878). In a subgroup of female CCS <40 years (n = 120), the results were similar.
Conclusion: We found POI in 13% among CCS, slightly more than in other studies. Serum levels of AMH, inhibin B, and FSH correlated significantly with AFC and ovarian volume, and no difference was noted between CCS and controls. AMH was the most reliable serum marker for ovarian function in terms of POI and low AFC.