Assisted reproductive technology is effective for but does not affect the prognosis of young patients with breast cancer: Experience in a single institution

Breast J. 2018 Nov;24(6):1001-1005. doi: 10.1111/tbj.13083. Epub 2018 Aug 16.

Abstract

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) helps women preserve fertility after chemotherapy for cancer treatment. We examined the long-term survival of patients with early breast cancer who did or did not receive ART, as well as post-treatment pregnancy and childbirth rates. Our study consisted of 44 young patients (≤35 years of age). Eight patients were pregnant post-treatment; however, none of these patients received ART intervention. ART intervention prevented patient omits of necessary treatment to avoid adverse events. It did not affect the prognosis of patients with breast cancer. Technical improvements are needed to increase the likelihood of pregnancy after breast cancer treatment.

Keywords: adolescent young adult; assisted reproductive technology; chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Breast Neoplasms / mortality*
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Female
  • Fertility Preservation / methods
  • Fertility Preservation / statistics & numerical data
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / agonists
  • Humans
  • Pregnancy
  • Prognosis
  • Reproductive Techniques, Assisted / statistics & numerical data*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone