Malignant tumors of the ovary or the breast in association with infertility: a report of thirteen cases

Abstract

Background: Many questions have been raised recently about the relationship between infertility, fertility drugs and cancer. This prompted us to evaluate our patients having ovarian or breast cancer with a known history of infertility.

Methods: We report thirteen women who had been examined and/or treated for infertility before the occurrence of malignant tumors of the ovary or the breast at an age under 50 years in 1990-1995 in our unit.

Results: Mean age of the patients was 35 years (s.d. 5.9 years, range 28-47 years). Of the 11 ovarian tumors, one was a malignant teratoma, two were granulosa cell tumors and eight epithelial ovarian cancers. Ten women had received either clomiphene citrate alone or together with gonadotrophins, one had used only gonadotrophins, and in two patients ovarian cancer was detected during an infertility work-up but before any treatment. Four women had used clomiphene for more than twelve cycles. Two patients had ductal breast cancer.

Conclusions: Our patients emphasize the need for follow-up and long-term prospective studies in infertile women who have been evaluated or treated for infertility.