J Korean Med Sci.  2015 Mar;30(3):290-295. 10.3346/jkms.2015.30.3.290.

Efficacy of Random-start Controlled Ovarian Stimulation in Cancer Patients

• Kim JH
• Kim SK
• Lee HJ
• Lee JR
• Jee BC
• Suh CS
• Kim SH

• KMID: 2133307
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2015.30.3.290

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of random-start controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) in cancer patients for emergency fertility preservation. In this retrospective comparative study, 22 patients diagnosed with cancer and 44 infertile women undergoing conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) were included. In cancer patients, ovarian stimulation was started on the day of referral, irrespective of their menstrual cycle date. The control group was selected by age matching among women undergoing conventional IVF. COS outcomes were compared between groups. The number of total and mature oocytes retrieved and the oocyte maturity rate were higher in the random-start group than in the conventional-start group. However, duration of ovarian stimulation was longer in the random-start group (11.4 vs. 10.3 days, P = 0.004). The addition of letrozole to lower the estradiol level during COS did not adversely affect total oocytes retrieved. However, oocyte maturity rate was lower in cycles with letrozole than in cycles without letrozole (71.6% vs. 58.2%, P = 0.019). Our study confirms the feasibility and effectiveness of random-start COS in cancer patients.

Keyword

Controlled Ovarian Stimulation; Random-start; Fertility Preservation; Emergency; Cancer; In Vitro Fertilization Outcomes

MeSH Terms

Cryopreservation
Estradiol/blood
Female
Fertility Preservation/*methods
Fertilization in Vitro
Humans
Infertility, Female/surgery
Neoplasms
Nitriles/therapeutic use
Oocyte Retrieval/*methods
Ovulation Induction/*methods
Retrospective Studies
Triazoles/therapeutic use
Estradiol
Nitriles
Triazoles

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