Induction of ovulation and ovarian cancer: a critical review of the literature

Fertility Drugs and Gynecologic Cancer

Fertility drugs (FD) are spreading worldwide fast and therefore many studies have reviewed the possible association between the use of these drugs and cancer. Since the drugs used for ovulation induction during in vitro fertilization (IVF) like hCG, hMG, rFSH increase the levels of gonadal hormones, concerns have grown regarding the risk of developing cancer in breast, ovary, endometrium, and other target organs. In this review, we discuss a number of different studies published in recent years that show no association between the use of these drugs and most cancers.

A successful IVF-pregnancy in a patient who underwent conservative surgery followed by a regimen of cisplatin, vinblastine and peplomycin to treat an advanced ovarian mixed germ cell tumour: a case report

Mixed germ cell tumours of the ovary, one type of malignant ovarian germ cell tumours (MOGCTs), are rare gynaecologic cancers usually affecting young women. We report the case of a patient with an advanced ovarian mixed germ cell tumour who underwent fertility-saving surgery followed by a chemotherapy regimen of cisplatin, vinblastine and peplomycin. The patient was disease-free 8 years after initial presentation. She conceived and gestated dichorionic twins after IVF-embryo transfer. To the best of our knowledge, the patient is the first to be treated successfully with the combination chemotherapy regimen and then conceive safely using assisted reproductive technology (ART).