The outcome of infertility treatment in patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology after conservative therapy for endometrial cancer

J Assist Reprod Genet. 2014 Sep;31(9):1189-94. doi: 10.1007/s10815-014-0297-x. Epub 2014 Aug 10.

Abstract

Purpose: To elucidate the problems in infertility treatment for women after conservative therapy for endometrial cancer (EC) or atypical complex endometrial hyperplasia (ACEH).

Methods: The clinical outcomes of 21 patients who underwent assisted reproductive technology after conservative therapy (group A) and 42 control women (group B) were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: There was no significant difference in the number of retrieved oocytes, fertilization rate or the number of transferred embryos between the two groups. Women in group A had a significantly thinner endometrium and a reduced implantation rate compared to those for women in group B. There was no significant difference in the cumulative clinical pregnancy and delivery rates between group A and B. The patients in group A required significantly more embryos for achieving a live-birth.

Conclusions: Our results indicate that a thin endometrium after repeated curettage may have a negative effect on endometrial receptivity of patients after conservative treatment for EC/ACEH. Clinicians should reconsider their present protocols and make efforts to minimize the damage to normal endometrium.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / complications
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Fertility Preservation
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Female / complications
  • Infertility, Female / therapy
  • Ovulation Induction
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Rate*
  • Reproductive Techniques, Assisted
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome