MALIGNANT-TUMORS OF THE OVARY OR THE BREAST IN ASSOCIATION WITH INFERTILITY - A REPORT OF 13 CASES

Background. Many questions have been raised recently about the relatio nship between infertility: fertility drugs and cancer. This prompted u s to evaluate our patients having ovarian or breast cancer with a know n history of infertility. Methods. We report thirteen women who had be en examined and/or treated for infertility before the occurrence of ma lignant 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 rears (s.d. 5.9 years, range 28-47 years). Of the 11 ovarian tumors, one was a malignant teratoma, two were granulosa cell turners and eight epith elial ovarian cancers. Ten women had received either clomiphene citrat e alone or together with gonadotrophins, one had used only gonadotroph ins, and in two patients ovarian cancer was detected during an inferti lity work-up but before any treatment. Four women had used clomiphene for more than twelve cycles. Two patients had ductal breast cancer. Co nclusions. Our patients emphasize the need for follow-up and long-term prospective studies in infertile women who have been evaluated or tre ated for infertility.