In vitro fertilization is associated with an increased risk of borderline ovarian tumours

Louise M. Stewart, C D'Arcy J Holman, C. D’Arcy J. Holman, Holman CD, Judith C Finn, Judith Finn, David B. Preen, Roger Hart
Gynecologic Oncology · 2013 · vol. 129(2) , pp. 372–376 · doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2013.01.027 · PMID:23385152 · W2132854918
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This study investigated the association between in vitro fertilization and borderline ovarian tumours, finding an increased risk of these tumours in women who underwent IVF.

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Abstract

ObjectivesTo compare the risk of borderline ovarian tumours in women having in vitro fertilization (IVF) with women diagnosed with infertility but not having IVF.MethodsThis was a whole-population cohort study of women aged 20-44 years seeking hospital infertility treatment or investigation in Western Australia in 1982-2002. Using Cox regression, we examined the effects of IVF treatment and potential confounders on the rate of borderline ovarian tumours. Potential confounders included parity, age, calendar year, socio-economic status, infertility diagnoses including pelvic inflammatory disorders and endometriosis and surgical procedures including hysterectomy and tubal ligation.ResultsWomen undergoing IVF had an increased rate of borderline ovarian tumours with a hazard ratio (HR) of 2.46 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20-5.04). Unlike invasive epithelial ovarian cancer, neither birth (HR 0.89; 95% CI 0.43-1.88) nor hysterectomy (1.02; 0.24-4.37) nor sterilization (1.48; 0.63-3.48) appeared protective and the rate was not increased in women with a diagnosis of endometriosis (HR 0.31; 95% CI 0.04-2.29).ConclusionsWomen undergoing IVF treatment are at increased risk of being diagnosed with borderline ovarian tumours. Risk factors for borderline ovarian tumours appear different from those for invasive ovarian cancer.

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MeSH descriptors

Fertilization in Vitro Infertility, Female Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial Ovarian Neoplasms Adult Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial Female Fertilization in Vitro Follow-Up Studies Humans Infertility, Female Infertility, Female Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial Ovarian Neoplasms Proportional Hazards Models Risk Factors

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