Abstract
Purpose of Review: Approximately 12,000 women between 20 and 39 years of age are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer (BC) annually in the USA. We aim to summarize data regarding the impact of BC treatment on fertility and strategies for fertility preservation in young women with BC. Recent Findings: Standard curative therapies for breast cancer can lead to subfertility, infertility, and primary ovarian insufficiency by their direct gonadotoxic effects and/or by delaying the age at which a woman can attempt pregnancy. Oocyte and embryo cryopreservation are the preferred options for fertility preservation and, if done efficiently within an established referral system, will not negatively impact long-term outcomes or the ability to receive neoadjuvant therapy in a timely fashion. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists may be included alongside chemotherapy but should not be relied on for fertility preservation. Summary: All premenopausal women should be counseled regarding the potential impact of systemic therapies on fertility. A multi-disciplinary approach is needed, including early referral to reproductive endocrinology, to effectively address fertility concerns in young patients with breast cancer.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 381-390 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Current Breast Cancer Reports |
| Volume | 12 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Dec 2020 |
Keywords
- Breast cancer
- Chemotherapy
- Fertility preservation
- Gonadotoxic therapy
- Premenopausal breast cancer
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Oncology
