OVARIAN STIMULATION AND OVARIAN-TUMORS - A CRITICAL REAPPRAISAL

Increased interest has arisen recently about the possible association between ovarian stimulation and ovarian tumours. In this article, the current knowledge on the epidemiology, pathogenesis and aetiology of o varian tumours is extensively reviewed in relation to the existing lit erature on the relationship between ovulation induction and ovarian ne oplasia. The available data from epidemiological studies and case repo rts do not support a direct causal relationship between ovarian stimul ation and ovarian cancer. However, it is possible that ovarian stimula nts may have an augmenting role for special categories of tumours, e.g . sex-cord stromal tumours. A definite answer to this important issue may be reached through large prospective epidemiological studies or la rge retrospective well-designed case-control studies.