Effect of Cancer on Ovarian Function during Ivf

All researchers found that fsh levels were similar in patients with cancer and in control subjects. Moria et al.6 reported lower baseline levels of fsh for patients with hematologic malignancy, but similar levels of fsh in control subjects and in patients with breast cancer and other types of cancer. The younger age of patients with hematologic malignancies (mostly Hodgkin lymphoma) in all probability explains the statistical difference. Quintero et al.3 reported higher baseline levels of fsh in patients with breast cancer. In that study, the higher proportion of significantly older patients in the group with a breast malignancy probably explains the upward shift in fsh levels. In both the foregoing studies, the different baseline levels of fsh were determined by age rather than by background disease. Das et al. and Moria et al.2,6 used the afc to assess ovarian reserve. Both groups found no significant difference between cancer patients and control subjects. Pal et al.7 and Knopman et al.8 measured day 2–5 estradiol levels in study patients and in control subjects and found no significant difference between the groups. To summarize, using levels of fsh, the afc, and estradiol, previous studies could not demonstrate a significant difference in baseline ovarian characteristics and reserve between cancer patients and healthy women. Levels of fsh tended to be (as expected) related to age rather to baseline condition.