Fertility preservation outcomes may differ by cancer diagnosis

CONTEXT: Cancer survival has improved significantly and maintaining fertility is both a major concern and an important factor for the quality of life in cancer patients. AIMS: To explore differences in oocyte stimulation for fertility preservation (FP) patients based on cancer diagnosis. SETTINGS AND DEIGN: Between 2005 and 2011, 109 patients elected to pursue FP at a single institution. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome variables between four cancer diagnostic groups (breast, gynecologic, lymphoma/leukemia and other) and age-matched male factor or tubal factor infertility IVF control group were compared. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: ANOVA and Chi-square analyses were employed to compare variables between the groups that were normally distributed. Kruskal–Wallis with subsequent Mann–Whitney U-test were used for data that were not normally distributed. RESULTS: Women with gynecologic malignancies were significantly older than the women in the other three groups, but tended to have a better ovarian response. Women with hematologic malignancies were most likely to have been exposed to chemotherapy and had the longest stimulations with a similar number of oocytes retrieved. The age-matched IVF controls had higher peak estradiol levels, number of oocytes obtained, and fertilization rates when compared to cancer patients with or without a history of prior chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Factors including age, type of cancer and chemotherapy exposure, can influence response to ovarian stimulation. Discussing these findings with patients presenting for FP may aid in setting realistic treatment expectations.