OVARIAN-CANCER IN INFERTILE WOMEN DURING OR AFTER OVULATION-INDUCTIONTHERAPY - EXPRESSION OF LH HCG RECEPTORS AND SEX STEROID-RECEPTORS/

A possible association between the use of fertility drugs and developm ent of ovarian cancer has recently been suggested. Review of 131 patie nts with ovarian carcinoma in our hospital revealed that six (4.6%) ca ses had developed during or after ovulation-induction therapy. To exam ine the hormone sensitivity of these tumors, the expression of luteini zing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin (LH/hCG) receptors and sex steroid receptors in the tumor cells was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. In addition, to elucidate the clinical and pathological characteristics of ovarian cancer in this setting, all of the 41 cases, including both of our series and previously reported cases in the literature, were r eviewed. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that expression of LH/hCG receptors or sex steroid receptors in the tumor cells was observed in five of the six cases, This suggests that gonadotropins and/or sex st eroids may influence the biological behavior of the tumor. Ovarian can cer during or after ovulation-induction consisted of two different typ es: one is serous, low-malignant potential (LMP) or invasive carcinoma and the other is endometrioid or clear cell carcinoma arising in an e ndometriotic cyst. Although the latter group is usually detected at ti n early stage, serous tumors are frequently at an advanced stage, even under close examination during infertility treatment. This is essenti al for giving informed consent during ovulation-induction therapy for infertile women.