In a nutshell
This study looked at the factors that affected functioning of the ovaries in women who were treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone drugs during their breast cancer treatment. The authors found that pre-treating the patients with anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) was beneficial in recovering ovarian function.
Some background
Breast cancer treatment in young women has been known to result in issues with fertility and menstruation. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone is a chemical produced by the brain to stimulate the ovaries to release other hormones such as FSH. Recent research has suggested that using drugs that activate gonadotropin-releasing hormone during chemotherapy can protect against ovarian failure. The other factors that may affect recovery when this treatment is performed are not known.
Methods & findings
This study analysed 156 women and followed them up for 12 months after their treatment. The patients were treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone drugs during their chemotherapy treatment. Gonadotropin hormones such as AMH and FSH were measured to assess ovarian function. Menstruation was also considered as recovery of ovarian function.
The study found that 12 months after completing chemotherapy, 89.5% of patients resumed menstruation. The authors concluded that younger age, lower FSH, and higher AMH were associated with recovery of ovarian function. Use of tamoxifen (Nolvadex) during chemotherapy was predictive of poor ovarian function recovery.
The bottom line
The study concluded that pre-treatment with AMH and FSH, and younger age were beneficial towards recovery of ovarian function, while use of tamoxifen was not.
The fine print
This study was small, only looking at results from 156 women.
What’s next?
Women who are undergoing breast cancer treatment and are concerned about their fertility should discuss these results with their oncologist.
Published By :
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment
Date :
Jun 25, 2018
