Legal termination of a pregnancy resulting from transplanted cryopreserved ovarian tissue due to cancer recurrence

J Assist Reprod Genet. 2013 Jul;30(7):975-8. doi: 10.1007/s10815-013-0026-x. Epub 2013 Jun 9.

Abstract

Purpose: To report on a woman who conceived naturally and had a normal intrauterine pregnancy following transplantation of frozen/thawed ovarian tissue but decided to have an early abortion due to recurrence of breast cancer.

Methods: The patient was diagnosed breast cancer and received antineoplastic treatment that forced her into premature ovarian insufficiency and infertility. Ovarian tissue cryopreserved prior to chemotherapy was transplanted following cancer treatment restoring fertility and regular menstrual cycles.

Results: The patient conceived 6 month after transplantation. However, she experienced recurrence of breast cancer and decided on legal termination of the pregnancy in the first trimester.

Discussion: The obtained pregnancy only 6 month following transplantation underlines the ability of the procedure. The recurrence occurred near the original site of the tumor and was most unlikely related to the transplantation. The activity of the transplanted tissue is likely to be destroyed by the renewed antineoplastic treatment she will receive. However, she still has the majority of one ovary cryostored and may later want to undergo additional transplantation to regain fertility or to have menstrual cycles back.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Induced*
  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Cryopreservation
  • Female
  • Fertility Preservation / methods*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local*
  • Ovary / transplantation*
  • Pregnancy
  • Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / chemically induced
  • Transplantation, Autologous

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents