Fertility drug use and the risk of ovarian tumors in infertile women: a case-control study

Risk of borderline ovarian tumors after fertility treatment - Results from a Danish cohort of infertile women

OBJECTIVE

Results from previous studies examining the association between fertility treatment and borderline ovarian tumors are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between fertility treatment and borderline ovarian tumors in a cohort of infertile women.

METHODS

This cohort study was based on the Danish Infertility Cohort and included all infertile women aged 20-45 years living in Denmark between 1 January 1995 and 31 December 2017 (n = 146,891). Information on use of fertility drugs, borderline ovarian tumors and cancer diagnoses, covariates, emigration, and vital status was obtained by linkage to national registers. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) with adjustment for potential confounders for overall borderline ovarian tumors and for serous- and mucinous borderline ovarian tumors separately.

RESULTS

During a median 11.3 years of follow-up, 144 women developed a borderline ovarian tumor. No marked associations between ever use of clomiphene citrate, gonadotropins, gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor modulators, human chorionic gonadotropin or progesterone and borderline ovarian tumors were observed, neither overall nor for serous and mucinous borderline ovarian tumors analysed separately. Further, no clear associations with borderline ovarian tumors were found according to cumulative dose, time since first use or parity status for any fertility drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

No marked associations between use of fertility drugs and borderline ovarian tumors were observed. However, the cohort's relatively young age at end of follow-up emphasizes the importance of extending the follow-up period for women who have used fertility drugs.

Effects of Infertility Drug Exposure on the Risk of Borderline Ovarian Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Whether infertility drug exposure increases the risk of borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs) remains controversial. The present study was conducted with a comprehensive search for studies published from January 1990 to December 2021 in the online databases Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science and EMBASE. We considered the first diagnosis of a BOT as the primary outcome. The odds ratio (OR) was calculated with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the risk of BOTs in patients who were treated with infertility drugs. Ten studies, a total of 2,779,511 women, qualified for inclusion in this meta-analysis. The pooled OR of 1.56 (95% CI: 1.09-2.22) revealed a significant positive association between infertility drugs and an increased risk for BOTs, but for specific drugs, only CC plus Gn had statistical significance. No publication bias was detected using the Egger and Begg tests (p > 0.05). A significant difference in BOT incidence was observed among infertile women and nulliparous women who were treated with or without infertility drugs. In conclusion, the use of infertility drugs may increase the risk of BOTs, but a dose-dependent relationship was not observed between the number of assisted reproduction technology cycles and the risk of BOTs, and infertile women who successfully became pregnant might have a reduced risk. Registration: PROSPERO, CRD42022330775.

Ovulation induction drug and ovarian cancer: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association between ovulation induction drugs and ovarian cancer.

DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

SETTING

Not applicable.

PATIENT(S)

Women without ovarian cancer who ever or never underwent ovarian induction.

INTERVENTION(S)

An extensive electronic search of the following databases was performed: PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library and CNKI, from inception until January 2022. A total of 34 studies fulfilled our inclusion criteria and were included in the final meta-analysis. The odds ratio (OR) and random-effects model were used to estimate the pooled effects. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of included studies. Funnel plots and Egger tests were used to assess publication bias.

MAIN OUTCOMES

New diagnosed borderline ovarian tumor (BOT) and invasive ovarian cancer (IOC) between ovulation induction (OI) group and control (CT) group considering fertility outcome, OI cycles and specific OI drugs.

RESULTS

Primarily, there was no significant difference in the incidence of IOC and BOT between the OI and CT groups. Secondly, OI treatment did not increase the risk of IOC and BOT in the multiparous women, nor did it increase the risk of IOC in the nulliparous women. However, the risk of BOT appeared to be higher in nulliparous women treated with OI treatment. Thirdly, among women exposed to OI, the risk of IOC and BOT was higher in nulliparous women than in multiparous women. Fourthly, the risk of IOC did not increase with increasing OI cycles. Lastly, exposure to specific OI drugs also did not contribute to the risk of IOC and BOT.

CONCLUSION

Overall, OI treatment did not increase the risk of IOC and BOT in most women, regardless of OI drug type and OI cycle. However, nulliparous women treated with OI showed a higher risk of ovarian cancer, necessitating their rigorous monitoring and ongoing follow-up.

Fertility treatment and cancers-the eternal conundrum: a systematic review and meta-analysis

STUDY QUESTION

Does fertility treatment (FT) significantly increase the incidence of breast, ovarian, endometrial or cervical cancer?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Overall, FT does not significantly increase the incidence of breast, ovarian or endometrial cancer and may even reduce the incidence of cervical cancer.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Infertility affects more than 14% of couples. Infertility and nulliparity are established risk factors for endometrial, ovarian and breast cancer, yet the association with FT is more contentious.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

A literature search was carried out using Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Medline and Google Scholar up to December 2019. Peer-reviewed studies stating cancer incidence (breast, ovarian, endometrial or cervical) in FT and no-FT groups were identified. Out of 128 studies identified, 29 retrospective studies fulfilled the criteria and were included (n = 21 070 337).

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

In the final meta-analysis, 29 studies were included: breast (n = 19), ovarian (n = 19), endometrial (n = 15) and cervical (n = 13), 17 studies involved multiple cancer types and so were included in each individual cancer meta-analysis. Primary outcome of interest was cancer incidence (breast, ovarian, endometrial and cervical) in FT and no-FT groups. Secondary outcome was cancer incidence according to specific fertility drug exposure. Odds ratio (OR) and random effects model were used to demonstrate treatment effect and calculate pooled treatment effect, respectively. A meta-regression and eight sub-group analyses were performed to assess the impact of the following variables, maternal age, infertility, study size, outliers and specific FT sub-types, on cancer incidence.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

Cervical cancer incidence was significantly lower in the FT group compared with the no-FT group: OR 0.68 (95% CI 0.46-0.99). The incidences of breast (OR 0.86; 95% CI 0.73-1.01) and endometrial (OR 1.28; 95% CI 0.92-1.79) cancers were not found to be significantly different between the FT and no-FT groups. Whilst overall ovarian cancer incidence was not significantly different between the FT and no-FT groups (OR 1.19; 95% CI 0.98-1.46), separate analysis of borderline ovarian tumours (BOT) revealed a significant association (OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.27-2.25). In further sub-group analyses, ovarian cancer incidence was shown to be significantly higher in the IVF (OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.03-1.69) and clomiphene citrate (CC) treatment group (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.10-1.77), respectively when compared with the no-FT group. Conversely, the incidences of breast (OR 0.75; 95% CI 0.61-0.92) and cervical cancer (OR 0.58; 95% CI 0.38-0.89) were significantly lower in the IVF treatment sub-group compared to the no-FT group.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

The large, varied dataset spanning a wide study period introduced significant clinical heterogeneity. Thus, results have to be interpreted with an element of caution. Exclusion of non-English citations, unpublished work and abstracts, in order to ensure data accuracy and reliability was maintained, may have introduced a degree of selection bias.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

The results for breast, ovarian, endometrial and cervical cancer are reassuring, in line with previously published meta-analyses for individual cancers but the association between IVF and CC treatment and an increase in ovarian cancer incidence requires additional work to understand the potential mechanism driving this association. In particular, focusing on (i) discriminating specific treatments effects from an inherent risk of malignancy; (ii) differential risk profiles among specific patient sub-groups (refractory treatment and obesity); and (iii) understanding the impact of FT outcomes on cancer incidence.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This study did not receive any funding. The authors have no financial, personal, intellectual and professional conflicts of interest to declare.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42019153404.

A Potential Pathogenic Link Between Cancer of Female Reproductive System and Infertile Women Treated With Assisted Reproduction Techniques

Prevention and treatment of infertility remains a priority for developed countries where a large proportion of women undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF) after ovarian stimulation. Latest data suggest that, in the USA alone, almost eight million women of fertile age will have sought medical advice for fertility problems by 2025. However, over the last years, attention has been increasingly focused, and questions have risen, on the long-term health effects in women who underwent assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). Since the emergence of ART, reports highlight a possible connection of ovarian stimulation and several types of gynaecological cancer, including ovarian, endometrial and cervical types, but due to limited scientific evidence, such a speculation is still under investigation. The objective of this review is to summarize the latest data of ovarian hyperstimulation and IVF, associated with the risk of gynecological tract cancer development.

Assisted reproductive technology treatment and risk of ovarian cancer—a nationwide population-based cohort study

STUDY QUESTION

Does hormone stimulation during assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment increase the risk of ovarian cancer?

SUMMARY ANSWER

No increased risk of ovarian cancer was found among ART-treated women, with the exception of ART-treated women with endometriosis.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Previous studies on the association between ovarian stimulation during ART and ovarian cancer have shown conflicting results. The risk of ovarian cancer varies according to the cause of infertility, and only a few studies on ART treatment and risk of ovarian cancer have had sufficient data to address this issue. Endometriosis has been linked to an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

Women undergoing ART treatment during 1994–2015 were registered in the Danish IVF register. Data were linked with data from the Danish Cancer Register and socio-demographic population registers using an individual person identification number assigned to people residing in Denmark.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

All women undergoing ART treatment were age-matched with a random sample of the female background population and followed for up to 22 years. After relevant exclusions, the population consisted of 58 472 ART-treated women and 625 330 untreated women, all with no previous malignancies. Ovarian cancer risk was assessed using multivariable cox regression analyses with adjustment for educational level, marital status, parity and treatment year. Results are shown as hazard ratios (HRs) with corresponding CIs.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

In total, 393 (0.06%) women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer during follow-up (mean 9.7 years). Women treated with ART had an increased risk of ovarian cancer (HR 1.20, 95% CI 1.10–1.31), which diminished over time. The increased risk was apparent among women with female factor infertility (HR 1.36, 95% CI 1.25–1.48), whereas no female factor infertility was associated with a lower risk (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.76–1.00). The risk was increased among women with endometriosis (HR 3.78, 95% CI 2.45–5.84), whereas no increased risk was found among ART-treated women with polycystic ovary syndrome, other female causes of infertility and unexplained infertility.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

The association between ART treatment and ovarian cancer is likely influenced by increased detection due to multiple ultrasound scans during ART treatment.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Undergoing ART treatment without the presence of endometriosis was not associated with an increased risk of ovarian cancer, which is reassuring. Whether ART treatment increases the risk of ovarian cancer among women with endometriosis needs further investigation.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This work was supported by a PhD grant to D.V. from the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Funding for establishing the Danish National ART-couple II cohort was achieved from Ebba Rosa Hansen Foundation. The funders had no influence on data collection, analyses or results presented. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

No. 344-Opportunistic Salpingectomy and Other Methods of Risk Reduction for Ovarian/Fallopian Tube/Peritoneal Cancer in the General Population

OBJECTIVE

This guideline reviews the potential benefits of opportunistic salpingectomy to prevent the development of high grade serous cancers (HGSC) of the ovary/fallopian tube/peritoneum based on current evidence supporting the fallopian tube origin of disease.

INTENDED USERS

Gynaecologists, obstetricians, family doctors, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, residents, and health care providers.

TARGET POPULATION

Adult women (18 and older): OPTIONS: Women considering hysterectomy who wish to retain their ovaries in situ have traditionally also retained their fallopian tubes. In addition, women undergoing permanent surgical sterilization have usually undergone tubal ligation using various methods rather than undergoing surgical removal of the entire fallopian tube.

EVIDENCE

For the sections "Evidence Supporting the Hypothesis That HGSC Originates in the Fallopian Tube" and "Current Literature on the Effects and Safety of Opportunistic Salpingectomy," relevant studies were searched in PubMed, Medline, and the Cochrane Systematic Reviews using the following terms, either alone or in combination, with the search limited to English language materials: "high grade serous cancers ovary," "fallopian tube," "peritoneum," "opportunistic salpingectomy," "epithelial ovarian cancers," "origin," "tubal carcinoma in situ," "BRCA mutation," "prophylactic salpingectomy," "inflammation," "clear cell," and "endometrioid." The initial search was performed in March 2015 with a final literature search in March 2016. Relevant evidence was selected for inclusion in the following order: meta-analyses, systematic reviews, guidelines, randomized controlled trials, prospective cohort studies, observational studies, non-systematic reviews, case series, and reports. The total number of studies identified was 458, and 56 studies were included in this review. For the section "Other Factors Influencing the Risk of Developing "Ovarian" Cancers" a general Medline search was carried out using the terms "ovarian neoplasm" and "prevention." The search included papers published from December 2005 to March 2016. Meta-analyses were preferentially selected except where no such review was found. Additional searches for each subheading were also conducted (e.g., "ovarian neoplasm" and "tubal ligation.") Additional significant articles were identified through cross-referencing the identified reviews. For the search for "ovarian neoplasm" and "prevention," 10 meta-analyses were identified. For the search for "ovarian neoplasm" and "tubal ligation," an additional 4 meta-analyses were identified.

VALIDATION METHODS

The content and recommendations were drafted and agreed on by the principal authors. The Executive and Board of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology of Canada reviewed the content and submitted comments for consideration, and the Board of the SOGC approved the final draft for publication. The quality of evidence was rated using the criteria described in the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology framework (Table 1). The interpretation of strong and weak recommendations is described in Table 2. The summary of findings is available on request.

BENEFITS, HARMS, AND/OR COSTS

The addition of opportunistic salpingectomy to a planned hysterectomy or permanent sterilization did not increase rates of hospital readmission (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.75 to 1.10 and OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.56 to 1.21, respectively) or blood transfusions (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.10 and OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.32 to 1.73, respectively) but did increase the overall operating time (by 16 minutes and 10 minutes, respectively) in a retrospective review of 43 931 women. The risk of repeat surgery for tubal pathology among women with retained fallopian tubes after hysterectomy was at least doubled (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.88 to 2.42 in a population-based study of 170 000 women). If general gynaecologists were to consider removal of fallopian tubes at the time of every hysterectomy and sterilization procedure with referral of all patients with HGSC for hereditary cancer counselling and genetic testing, experts project a potential reduction in the rate of HGSC by 40% over the next 20 years.

GUIDELINE UPDATE

Evidence will be reviewed 5 years after publication to decide whether all or part of the guideline should be updated. However, if important new evidence is published prior to the 5-year cycle, the review process may be accelerated for a more rapid update of some recommendations.

SPONSORS

This guideline was developed with resources funded by the Society of Gynecologic Oncology of Canada and SOGC.

SUMMARY STATEMENTS

RECOMMENDATIONS.

Risk of ovarian cancer in women treated with ovarian stimulating drugs for infertility

BACKGROUND

This is an updated version of the original Cochrane Review published in the Cochrane Library in 2013 (Issue 8) on the risk of ovarian cancer in women using infertility drugs when compared to the general population or to infertile women not treated. The link between fertility drugs and ovarian cancer remains controversial.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the risk of invasive ovarian cancer and borderline ovarian tumours in women treated with ovarian stimulating drugs for subfertility.

SEARCH METHODS

The original review included published and unpublished observational studies from 1990 to February 2013. For this update, we extended the searches from February 2013 to November 2018; we evaluated the quality of the included studies and judged the certainty of evidence by using the GRADE approach. We have reported the results in a Summary of findings table to present effect sizes across all outcome types.

SELECTION CRITERIA

In the original review and in this update, we searched for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomised studies and case series including more than 30 participants.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

At least two review authors independently conducted eligibility and 'Risk of bias' assessments and extracted data. We grouped studies based on the fertility drug used for two outcomes: borderline ovarian tumours and invasive ovarian cancer. We conducted no meta-analyses due to expected methodological and clinical heterogeneity.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 13 case-control and 24 cohort studies (an additional nine new cohort and two case-control studies), which included a total of 4,684,724 women.Two cohort studies reported an increased incidence of invasive ovarian cancer in exposed subfertile women compared with unexposed women. One reported a standardised incidence ratio (SIR) of 1.19 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54 to 2.25) based on 17 cancer cases. The other cohort study reported a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.93 (95% CI 1.18 to 3.18), and this risk was increased in women remaining nulligravid after using clomiphene citrate (HR 2.49, 95% CI 1.30 to 4.78) versus multiparous women (HR 1.52, 95% CI 0.67 to 3.42) (very low-certainty evidence). The slight increase in ovarian cancer risk among women having between one and three cycles of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) was reported, but this was not clinically significant (P = 0.18). There was no increase in risk of invasive ovarian cancer after use of infertility drugs in women with the BRCA mutation according to one cohort and one case-control study. The certainty of evidence as assessed using GRADE was very low.For borderline ovarian tumours, one cohort study reported increased risk in exposed women with an SIR of 3.61 (95% CI 1.45 to 7.44), and this risk was greater after treatment with clomiphene citrate (SIR 7.47, 95% CI 1.54 to 21.83) based on 12 cases. In another cohort study, the risk of a borderline ovarian tumour was increased, with an HR of 4.23 (95% CI 1.25 to 14.33), for subfertile women treated with IVF compared with a non-IVF-treated group with more than one year of follow-up. A large cohort reported increased risk of borderline ovarian tumours, with HR of 2.46 (95% CI 1.20 to 5.04), and this was based on 17 cases. A significant increase in serous borderline ovarian tumours was reported in one cohort study after the use of progesterone for more than four cycles (risk ratio (RR) 2.63, 95% CI 1.04 to 6.64). A case-control study reported increased risk after clomiphene citrate was taken, with an SIR of 2.5 (95% CI 1.3 to 4.5) based on 11 cases, and another reported an increase especially after human menopausal gonadotrophin was taken (odds ratio (OR) 9.38, 95% CI 1.66 to 52.08). Another study estimated an increased risk of borderline ovarian tumour, but this estimation was based on four cases with no control reporting use of fertility drugs. The certainty of evidence as assessed using GRADE was very low.However, although some studies suggested a slight increase in risks of ovarian cancer and borderline ovarian tumour, none provided moderate- or high-certainty evidence, as summarised in the GRADE tables.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Since the last version of this review, only a few new relevant studies have provided additional findings with supporting evidence to suggest that infertility drugs may increase the risk of ovarian cancer slightly in subfertile women treated with infertility drugs when compared to the general population or to subfertile women not treated. The risk is slightly higher in nulliparous than in multiparous women treated with infertility drugs, and for borderline ovarian tumours. However, few studies have been conducted, the number of cancers is very small, and information on the dose or type of fertility drugs used is insufficient.

Infertility: a marker of future health risk in women?

Infertility, may be a harbinger for future health risk in women, including early mortality. Fertility status itself could serve as an early biomarker, (present in a woman's reproductive years) for risk stratification later in life. The relationship between infertility and early mortality involves the impact of nulliparity on future adverse health events, potential sequelae from the underlying cause(s) of infertility, the risks of fertility treatments, as well as the potential for risk reduction from a healthy pregnancy. This complex interplay coupled with difficulties ascertaining infertility on a population level has presented unique challenges to assessing infertility and early mortality risk. With further study, a better understanding the role of fertility status in health at various stages of life may provide unique opportunities for surveillance and risk reduction.

The risk of breast and gynecological cancer in women with a diagnosis of infertility: a nationwide population-based study

Some studies have suggested that infertility is a risk factor for endometrial, ovarian and breast cancer. The study aimed to create a comprehensive picture of the association between infertility and the risk of ovarian, endometrial and breast cancer, and whether any association could be explained by ovulatory disturbances, endometriosis or nulliparity. In a population-based cohort of 2,882,847 women, cox regression analysis was used to investigate cancer incidence among infertile women. Overall, infertility was associated with a higher incidence rate of ovarian (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.38-1.71) and endometrial cancer (aHR 1.25, 95% CI 1.11-1.40), but not of breast cancer (aHR 0.96, 95% CI 0.92-1.01). Ovarian cancer incidence was higher in women diagnosed with endometriosis, and in nulliparous women with ovulatory disturbances, compared to women with none of the diagnoses. Endometrial cancer incidence was higher in women with ovulatory disturbances, but not in women with endometriosis. These findings suggest that infertility could have long-term consequences of importance to physicians and public health workers.

Use of fertility medications and cancer risk: a review and update

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

There is increasing use of fertility medications for ovulation induction and ovarian stimulation for in-vitro fertilization in the treatment of female infertility. In this review, recent literature regarding the association between fertility medication and cancer risk is reviewed.

RECENT FINDINGS

Several important publications have recently addressed the relationship between use of fertility medications and cancer risk. There are methodological limitations to many of these studies, including unique challenges in studying rare cancers that often develop several years after the time of fertility medication exposure. Although infertility per se is a risk factor for some female cancers, including breast, endometrial and ovarian cancer, most studies do not show a significant risk of these cancers with the use of fertility medications. Some studies, however, have shown a possible increased relative risk of borderline ovarian cancer, although the increased absolute risk is small without a clear causal relationship.

SUMMARY

The collective data regarding the risk of developing cancer from use of fertility medications are reassuring, although several methodological issues in these studies limit definitive conclusions.

N o 344-Salpingectomie opportuniste et autres méthodes pour réduire le risque de cancer de l'ovaire, de la trompe de Fallope et du péritoine dans la population générale

OBJECTIF

La présente directive clinique examine les avantages potentiels de la salpingectomie opportuniste pour prévenir le développement du cancer séreux de grade élevé de l'ovaire, de la trompe de Fallope et du péritoine à la lumière de données probantes actuelles selon lesquelles ce type de cancer prendrait naissance dans la trompe de Fallope.

UTILISATEURS CIBLES

Gynécologues, obstétriciens, médecins de famille, infirmières autorisées, infirmières praticiennes, résidents et fournisseurs de soins de santé.

POPULATION CIBLE

Femmes adultes (18 ans et plus) : OPTIONS: Les femmes envisageant une hystérectomie et souhaitant conserver leurs ovaires conservent généralement aussi leurs trompes de Fallope. De plus, celles qui subissent une chirurgie de stérilisation permanente subissent habituellement aussi une ligature des trompes selon des méthodes variées plutôt qu'un retrait chirurgical complet des trompes. RéSULTATS: Les sections « Données probantes appuyant l'hypothèse selon laquelle les CSGE prendraient naissance dans la trompe de Fallope » et « Articles récents sur les répercussions et la sûreté de la salpingectomie opportuniste » reposent sur des études pertinentes rédigées en anglais, qui ont été repérées dans PubMed, Medline et la Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews à l'aide des termes suivants, seuls ou combinés : high grade serous cancers ovary, fallopian tube, peritoneum, opportunistic salpingectomy, epithelial ovarian cancers, origin, tubal carcinoma in situ, BRCA mutation, prophylactic salpingectomy, inflammation, clear cell et endometrioid. La recherche initiale a été menée en mars 2015, et une dernière recherche a été effectuée en mars 2016. Dans l'ordre, les données probantes pertinentes ont été tirées de méta-analyses, de revues de la littérature, de directives, d'essais cliniques randomisés, d'études de cohorte prospectives, d'études d'observation, de revues non systématiques, d'études de série de cas ainsi que de rapports. Au total, 458 études ont été repérées, et 56 ont été retenues pour la présente directive. Pour la section « Autres facteurs influant sur le risque de développer un cancer de ″l'ovaire″ », une recherche générale a été effectuée dans Medline à partir des termes ovarian neoplasm et prevention. Ont été inclus dans cette recherche des articles rédigés entre décembre 2005 et mars 2016. Les méta-analyses ont été privilégiées lorsque possible. Des recherches supplémentaires ont également été menées pour chaque sous-descripteurs (p. ex., ovarian neoplasm et tubal ligation). D'autres articles pertinents ont été ciblés au moyen d'une vérification des références des revues de la littérature retenues. Les termes ovarian neoplasm et prevention ont permis de repérer 10 méta-analyses; les termes ovarian neoplasm et tubal ligation, 4 méta-analyses. MéTHODES DE VALIDATION: Le contenu et les recommandations ont été rédigés et acceptés par les auteurs principaux. La direction et le conseil de la Société de gynéco-oncologie du Canada ont examiné le contenu et soumis des commentaires, puis le Conseil d'administration de la SOGC a approuvé la version finale avant publication. La qualité des données probantes a été évaluée à partir des critères de l'approche GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) (tableau 1). L'interprétation des recommandations solides et conditionnelles est décrite dans le tableau 2. Le résumé des conclusions peut être fourni sur demande. AVANTAGES, INCONVéNIENTS ET COûTS: L'ajout d'une salpingectomie opportuniste à une hystérectomie ou à une procédure de stérilisation permanente prévue n'a pas entraîné une augmentation des taux de réadmission à l'hôpital (RC : 0,91; IC à 95 % : 0,75-1, 10 et RC : 0,8; IC à 95 % : 0,56-1,21, respectivement) ou de transfusion sanguine (RC : 0,86; IC à 95 % : 0,67-1,10 et RC : 0,75; IC à 95 % : 0,32-1,73, respectivement), mais il a entraîné une hausse de la durée des opérations (de 16 minutes et de 10 minutes, respectivement) selon une étude rétrospective portant sur 43 931 femmes. Le risque de subir des interventions répétées pour une pathologie tubaire chez les femmes ayant conservé leurs trompes de Fallope après une hystérectomie était au moins deux fois plus élevé (RC : 2,13; IC à 95 % : 1,88-2,42, selon une étude fondée sur une population de 170 000 femmes). Selon des experts, si les gynécologues généralistes envisageaient systématiquement de retirer les trompes de Fallope lors d'une hystérectomie ou d'une procédure de stérilisation et d'aiguiller toutes les patientes aux prises avec un CSGE vers une consultation en oncologie génétique et un dépistage génétique, le taux de CSGE pourrait diminuer de 40 % au cours des 20 prochaines années. MISE à JOUR DE DIRECTIVES CLINIQUES: Une revue des données probantes sera menée cinq ans après la publication de la présente directive clinique afin de déterminer si une mise à jour complète ou partielle s'impose. Cependant, si de nouvelles données probantes importantes sont publiées avant la fin du cycle de cinq ans, le processus pourrait être accéléré afin que certaines recommandations soient mises à jour rapidement.

PARRAINS

La présente directive clinique a été élaborée à l'aide de ressources financées par la Société de gynéco-oncologie du Canada et la SOGC. DéCLARATIONS SOMMAIRES: RECOMMANDATIONS.

Cancer Risk in Women Treated with Fertility Drugs According to Parity Status-A Registry-based Cohort Study

Background: Long-term safety of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) is of interest as their use is increasing. Cancer risk is known to be affected by parity. This study examined the risk of cancer after fertility treatment, stratified by women's parity.Methods: Data were obtained from all women (n = 1,353,724) born in Norway between 1960 and 1996. Drug exposure data (2004-2014) were obtained from the Norwegian Prescription Database (drugs used in ART and clomiphene citrate). The Medical Birth Registry of Norway provided parity status. HRs were calculated for all site cancer, breast, cervical, endometrial, ovarian, colorectal, central nervous system, thyroid cancer, and malignant melanoma.Results: In 12,354,392 person-years of follow-up, 20,128 women were diagnosed with cancer. All-site cancer risk was 1.14 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.03-1.26] and 1.10 (95% CI, 0.98-1.23) after clomiphene citrate and ART exposure, respectively. For ovarian cancer, a stronger association was observed for both exposures in nulliparous (HR, 2.49; 95% CI, 1.30-4.78; and HR, 1.62; 95% CI, 0.78-3.35) versus parous women (HR, 1.37; 95% CI, 0.64-2.96; and HR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.33-2.27). Elevated risk of endometrial cancers was observed for clomiphene citrate exposure in nulliparous women (HR, 4.49; 95% CI, 2.66-7.60 vs. HR, 1.52; 95% CI, 0.67-3.42). Risk was elevated for breast cancer in parous women exposed to clomiphene citrate (HR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.03-1.54) for thyroid cancer and among nulliparous women after ART treatment (HR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.08-4.44).Conclusions: Clomiphene citrate appears associated with increased risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer. Elevations in risks of breast and thyroid cancer were less consistent across type of drug exposure and parity.Impact: Continued monitoring of fertility treatments is warranted. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(6); 953-62. ©2017 AACR.

Parity, infertility, oral contraceptives, and hormone replacement therapy and the risk of ovarian serous borderline tumors: A nationwide case-control study

OBJECTIVE

Few studies have examined the risk of an ovarian serous borderline tumor (SBT) associated with parity, infertility, oral contraceptives (OCs), or hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which was the study aim.

METHODS

This nationwide case-control study included all women with an SBT diagnosis in Denmark, 1978-2002. SBTs were confirmed by centralized expert pathology review. For each case, 15 age-matched female controls were randomly selected using risk-set sampling. Cases and controls with previous cancer (except for non-melanoma skin cancer) and controls with bilateral oophorectomy or salpingo-oophorectomy were excluded. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

We found a strongly decreased risk of SBTs among parous women which decreased with increasing number of children (p<0.01). Older age at first birth also decreased the SBT risk (p=0.03). An increased SBT risk was associated with infertility (OR=3.31; 95% CI: 2.44-4.49), which was present both among parous and nulliparous women. HRT use increased the SBT risk (OR=1.32; 95% CI: 1.02-1.72), whereas OC use decreased the risk (OR=0.40; 95% CI: 0.26-0.62).

CONCLUSIONS

Our nationwide study with expert histopathologic review of all SBTs showed that parity, infertility, use of HRT, and use of OCs, respectively, were strongly associated with the risk of SBTs. This is the first study to report a strong and significantly decreased SBT risk associated with OC use and a significantly increased risk with infertility, and HRT use. This supports that SBTs and serous ovarian cancer share similar risk factors.

Fertility drugs and cancer: a guideline

Methodological limitations in studying the association between the use of fertility drugs and cancer include the inherent increased risk of cancer in women who never conceive, the low incidence of most of these cancers, and that the age of diagnosis of cancer typically is many years after fertility drug use. Based on available data, there does not appear to be a meaningful increased risk of invasive ovarian cancer, breast cancer, or endometrial cancer following the use of fertility drugs. Several studies have shown a small increased risk of borderline ovarian tumors; however, there is insufficient consistent evidence that a particular fertility drug increases the risk of borderline ovarian tumors, and any absolute risk is small. Given the available literature, patients should be counseled that infertile women may be at an increased risk of invasive ovarian, endometrial, and breast cancer; however, use of fertility drugs does not appear to increase this risk.

Fertility treatments and invasive epithelial ovarian cancer risk in Jewish Israeli BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation carriers

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether BRCA mutation carriers who undergo fertility treatments are at increased risk of developing invasive epithelial ovarian cancer (IEOC).

DESIGN

Historical cohort study.

SETTING

Tertiary university-affiliated medical center and the National Cancer Registry.

PATIENT(S)

A total of 1,073 Jewish Israeli BRCA mutation carriers diagnosed in a single institution between 1995 and 2013, including 164 carriers (15.2%) who had fertility treatments that included clomiphene citrate (n = 82), gonadotropin (n = 69), in vitro fertilization (IVF) (n = 66), or a combination (n = 50), and 909 carriers not treated for infertility.

INTERVENTION(S)

None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for IEOC association with fertility treatments and other hormone and reproductive variables.

RESULT(S)

In 175 (16.3%) mutation carriers, IEOC was diagnosed; 139 women carried BRCA1, 33 carried BRCA2, and 3 had unknown mutations. Fertility treatments were not associated with IEOC risk (age-adjusted OR 0.63; 95% CI, 0.38-1.05) regardless of treatment type (with clomiphene citrate, OR 0.87; 95% CI, 0.46-1.63; with gonadotropin, OR 0.59; 95% CI, 0.26-1.31; with IVF, OR 1.08, 95% CI, 0.57-2.06). Multivariate analysis indicated an increased risk of IEOC with hormone-replacement therapy (OR 2.22; 95% CI, 1.33-3.69) and a reduced risk with oral contraceptives (OR 0.19; 95% CI, 0.13-0.28) in both BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. Parity was a risk factor for IEOC by univariate but not multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION(S)

According to our results, treatments for infertile BRCA mutation carriers should not be contraindicated or viewed as risk modifiers for IEOC. Parity as a risk factor in BRCA mutation carriers warrants further investigation.

Use of fertility drugs and risk of ovarian cancer

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review is to highlight recent research and insights into the relationship between fertility drug use and ovarian cancer risk.

RECENT FINDINGS

Results from two large case-control studies provided further evidence that fertility drug use does not significantly contribute to risk of ovarian cancer among the majority of women when adjusting for known confounding factors. However, questions regarding the effect on certain subgroups, including long-term fertility drug users, women who remain nulligravid after fertility treatment, women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations and borderline ovarian tumours, still remain. In addition, it may currently just be too early to determine whether there is an association between fertility drug use and ovarian cancer risk given that many of the exposed women are only now beginning to reach the ovarian cancer age range.

SUMMARY

Whether use of fertility drugs increases the risk of ovarian cancer is an important question that requires further investigation, in particular given the large number of women utilizing fertility treatments. Fortunately, results from recent studies have been mainly reassuring. Large well designed studies with sufficient follow-up time are needed to further evaluate the effects of fertility treatments within subgroups defined by patient and tumour characteristics.

A Case of Malignant Pheochromocytoma Detected during Fertility Treatment

We report a case of malignant pheochromocytoma in a 35-year-old Japanese woman during fertility treatment, successfully treated with surgical excision. The patient recovered without any postoperative problems, and plasma catecholamine levels normalized. At present, 18 months after the operation, there are no signs of relapse.