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* CANCER FACTS *
* National Cancer Institute *
* National Institutes of Health *
******************************************************************************
Fertility Drugs As a Risk Factor for Ovarian Cancer
In recent decades, an increasing number of women have been treated for
infertility with drugs. The possibility that the use of fertility drugs may
increase the risk of ovarian cancer has prompted researchers to conduct
studies to determine the long-term effects of such drugs. The results of
these studies have been conflicting. Some studies have identified certain
fertility drugs as increasing a woman's risk for ovarian cancer, while others
have not shown any increased risk from fertility drugs.
There are several theories about factors that may increase a woman's risk of
ovarian cancer. Two theories in particular have prompted researchers to
examine fertility drugs as a risk factor. One theory is that an increased
number of uninterrupted ovulations in a woman's lifetime increases her chance
of developing ovarian cancer. This theory may explain why events that
interrupt the constant cycle of ovulations, such as pregnancy, breastfeeding,
and oral contraceptive use, are associated with a decreased risk of ovarian
cancer. Another theory is that increased levels of certain hormones
associated with ovulation (such as human chorionic gonadotropin or HCG)
increase the risk of ovarian cancer. Fertility drugs can increase both the
number of ovulations and the levels of hormones associated with ovulation.
An evaluation of previous studies of women who had ovarian cancer found that
infertile women who used fertility drugs but still never became pregnant had a
significantly increased risk of ovarian cancer compared with women who had no
history of infertility. Infertile women who used fertility drugs and became
pregnant did not have a significantly increased risk for ovarian cancer.
Another study found that use of the fertility drug clomiphene citrate for more
than a year may increase the risk of developing ovarian tumors of low
malignant potential. This type of tumor responds better to treatment than
epithelial ovarian cancer, the most common type of ovarian cancer.
These studies and other recent research raise questions about whether
infertile women who take fertility drugs and do not become pregnant, and women
who take certain fertility drugs for extended periods of time, may be at
increased risk of developing ovarian cancer. Howt been proven, and more
research is needed. Research is also being conducted to explore the
relationship between infertility and ovarian cancer.
Women who have taken fertility drugs and who are concerned about their risk of
developing ovarian cancer should discuss their previous treatment with these
drugs with a gynecologist. At this time, however, there are no screening
tests that are consistently accurate enough to detect ovarian cancer at an
early stage when there are no symptoms. Research to identify better methods
of diagnosing ovarian cancer and to evaluate currently available tests is
under way.
For information about fertility drugs, write to the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration, HFI-40, Rockville, MD 20857, call 1-888-INFO-FDA
(1-888-463-6332), or visit the FDA Web site at http://www.fda.gov/ on the
Internet.
This fact sheet was reviewed on 2/1/00
# # #
National Cancer Institute Information Resources
You may want more information for yourself, your family, and your doctor. The
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These web sites may be useful:
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Includes information on understanding trials, deciding whether to participate
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Date Last Modified: 02/2000
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