Does IVF Increase Ovarian Cancer Risk?

Ovarian stimulation by in vitro fertilization (IVF) increases the risk for borderline ovarian tumors, but the risk for invasive ovarian cancer is not significantly increased, a new study concludes. It also found no increase in cancer risk with an increased number of IVF cycles.

The study published in the October 26, 2011 edition of Human Reproduction looked at long-term risk of ovarian cancer in women who received IVF as compared to those women who did not under go IVF. The study found women whom underwent IVF were twice as likely to develop a type of ovarian cancer called borderline tumors. Fortunately borderline tumors of the ovary have a low malignancy potential and the prognosis for patient is excellent. The study went on to state that IVF did not increase the risk of invasive ovarian cancer, which often has a poor prognosis.

The increase risk of borderline tumors did not appear to be dependent on the number of IVF cycles in the initial evaluation. Further study is being conducted to evaluate this surprising finding.

The researchers concluded that the overall risk of developing borderline ovarian tumors is small in IVF patients and with treatment prognosis is good.

J. Kyle Mathews, MD

Plano OBGyn Associates

Plano Urogynecology Associates

Tags: Dr. Mathews, In Vitro, IVF, Ovarian Cancer | Category: Infertility, News & Education |