There is serious concern about
cancer risk in women undergoing ovarian stimulation treatment for
infertility and longterm safety of these procedures. Association between
fertility drugs and
ovarian cancer is still controversial. A 30-year-old woman was referred to our institution with the initial diagnosis of an adnexal
tumor after in vitro fertilization. Her history revealed adnexectomy for mucinous
cystadenofibroma of the left ovary eight years ago, and
cystectomy due to
cystadenoma of the right ovary three years ago. At admission, the most remarkable findings were high temperature and elevated white blood cell count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Broad spectrum
antibiotic treatment was initiated. Six days after admission, the patient was feverish, with temperature up to 38 degrees C, and evident signs of the
acute abdomen. Immediate
laparotomy was performed and multilocular right adnexal
tumor 150x130x100 millimeters in size was identified. The right
salpingo-oophorectomy was carried out. Pathological diagnosis was mucinous ovarian
adenocarcinoma. Eighteen days later, radical surgery was performed. After the surgery,
chemotherapy was applied. There is an urgent need for clear interpretation of the association between
fertility drugs and subsequent higher
ovarian cancer risk. Lacking conclusive evidence, an increased risk of
ovarian cancer has been reported and more recently disputed. Higher
ovarian cancer risk may be serious and even life-threatening complication for women undergoing ovarian stimulation.