Ovarian Stimulation in Women with Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer type diagnosed among reproductive aged women. Every year, an increasing number of women with breast cancer is successfully treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. However, many of these patients suffer from infertility and gonadal failure as a result of these treatments. Fertility preservation options are considered in this population before treatment. Embryo and oocyte cryopreservation are effective fertility preservation options but they require ovarian stimulation. Exposure to high levels of estradiol during ovarian stimulation is generally considered contraindicated in women with estrogen-sensitive malignancies. In this chapter, we will be focusing on the feasibility and safety of ovarian stimulation in women with breast cancer.