In vitro fertilization, endometriosis, nulliparity and ovarian cancer risk

Louise M Stewart, Holman CD, C. D’Arcy J. Holman, C D'Arcy J Holman, Patrick Aboagye‐Sarfo, Patrick Aboagye-Sarfo, Aboagye-Sarfo P, Judith C Finn, Judith Finn, David B Preen, Roger Hart
Gynecologic oncology · 2012 · vol. 128(2) , pp. 260–264 · doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2012.10.023 · PMID:23116937 · W2141759827
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This study investigated the relationship between in vitro fertilization, endometriosis, nulliparity, and the risk of developing ovarian cancer.

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Abstract

ObjectivesTo examine the risk of invasive epithelial ovarian cancer in a cohort of women seeking treatment for infertility.MethodsUsing whole-population linked hospital and registry data, we conducted a cohort study of 21,646 women commencing hospital investigation and treatment for infertility in Western Australia in the years 1982-2002. We examined the effects of IVF treatment, endometriosis and parity on risk of ovarian cancer and explored potential confounding by tubal ligation, hysterectomy and unilateral oophorectomy/salpingo-oophorectomy (USO).ResultsParous women undergoing IVF had no observable increase in the rate of ovarian cancer (hazard ratio [HR] 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.35-2.90); the HR in women who had IVF and remained nulliparous was 1.76 (95% CI 0.74-4.16). Women diagnosed with endometriosis who remained nulliparous had a three-fold increase in the rate of ovarian cancer (HR 3.11; 95% CI 1.13-8.57); the HR in parous women was 1.52 (95% CI 0.34-6.75). In separate analyses, women who had a USO without hysterectomy had a four-fold increase in the rate of ovarian cancer (HR 4.23; 95% CI 1.30-13.77). Hysterectomy with or without USO appeared protective.ConclusionsThere is no evidence of an increased risk of ovarian cancer following IVF in women who give birth. There is some uncertainty regarding the effect of IVF in women who remain nulliparous. Parous women diagnosed with endometriosis may have a slightly increased risk of ovarian cancer; nulliparous women have a marked increase in risk.

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Condition tags

endometriosis

MeSH descriptors

Endometriosis Fertilization in Vitro Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial Ovarian Neoplasms Adult Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial Cohort Studies Endometriosis Female Fertilization in Vitro Humans Hysterectomy Hysterectomy Infertility, Female Infertility, Female Middle Aged Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial Ovarian Neoplasms Ovariectomy Ovariectomy

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Cited by (22)

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