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Fertility medications and the risk of cancer

Peter Kovacs1

  • 1a Kaali Institute IVF Center, Budapest, Hungary. peterkovacs1970@hotmail.com.

Expert Review of Endocrinology & Metabolism
|February 10, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Fertility medication use appears generally safe, but more research is needed. Current data suggests a reassuring trend, though larger studies with longer follow-up are necessary to confirm the safety of fertility drugs.

Area of Science:

  • Gynecology
  • Oncology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Female genital tract cancers are common and linked to reproductive factors.
  • Hormones are implicated in cancer development, including those affecting reproductive organs.
  • Fertility medications contain hormones that may influence carcinogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between fertility medication use and cancer risk.
  • To synthesize current evidence from case-control and cohort studies.
  • To inform clinical counseling regarding fertility treatments.

Main Methods:

  • Review of numerous case-control and cohort studies.
  • Analysis of existing data on fertility medication use and cancer incidence.
  • Assessment of study limitations including sample size and follow-up duration.

Main Results:

  • Current data is generally reassuring regarding fertility medication use and cancer risk.
  • Most studies have limitations, including small numbers of cases and short follow-up periods.
  • Conclusions drawn are often based on insufficient evidence.

Conclusions:

  • Further large-scale studies with extended follow-up are essential.
  • Confirming the safety of fertility medications requires more extensive research.
  • Proper patient counseling is crucial before initiating fertility treatments.
Keywords:
breast cancercancerclomiphene citratefertility medicationgonadotropinovarian canceruterine cancer

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