When a young patient is diagnosed with endometrial cancer, fertility may come into question. Women without children may be skeptical about having a hysterectomy before parenting at least one child, leaving doctors with questions about the possible impact of fertility treatments on endometrial cancer prognosis. Researchers from the University of Tsukuba recently published a study in the International Journal of Gynecological Cancer reporting no increased risk of recurrence with fertility treatments.
Thirty-six patients were initially included in the study. Only 26 of the patients showed an interest in conceiving after cancer treatment. All patients were treated with conservative means to preserve fertility. All 26 patients interested in conception took part in infertility treatments. Sixteen women were successful in achieving live, healthy births.
Conclusion: Women who gave birth were less likely to suffer a recurrence of endometrial cancer. Use of drugs to induce ovulation did not increase the risk of cancer recurrence and pregnancy may have helped reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.
Source: Ichinose M, Fujimoto A, Osuga Y, Minaguchi T, Kawana K, Yano T, Kozuma S. The Influence of Infertility Treatment on the Prognosis of Endometrial Cancer and Atypical Complex Endometrial Hyperplasia. Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2013 Jan 9.
