Impact of cancer treatment on risk of infertility and diminished ovarian reserve in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

To compare markers of fertility and ovarian reserve between cancer survivors and cancer-free women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Furthering Understanding of Cancer, Health, and Survivorship in Adult (FUCHSIA) Women's Study-a population-based cohort study. Not applicable. Female cancer survivors (n = 1,090) aged 22-45years, diagnosed between ages 20 and 35years, and at least 2years after diagnosis; 369 participated in a clinic visit. Three hundred seventy-four reproductive-aged women without cancer also completed a clinic visit. None. Infertility, time to first pregnancy after cancer diagnosis, and measures of ovarian reserve (antimüllerian hormone [AMH] and antral follicle count [AFC]). Seventy-eight cancer survivors (7.2%) reported a PCOS diagnosis, with 41 receiving gonadotoxic treatment. Survivors with PCOS exposed to gonadotoxic treatment (odds ratio [OR] 2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2-4.5) and unexposed (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.7-6.9) were more likely to report infertility than unexposed survivors without PCOS and were more likely to have fewer children than desired (exposed: OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.0-4.2; unexposed: OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.4-6.8). After adjusting for age, comparison women with PCOS had the highest markers of ovarian reserve (AMH: 2.43ng/mL, 95% CI 1.22-4.82ng/mL; AFC: 20.7, 95% CI 15.3-27.8), and cancer survivors without PCOS treated with gonadotoxic agents had the lowest levels (AMH: 0.19ng/mL, 95% CI 0.14-0.26ng/mL; AFC: 7.4, 95% CI 6.4-8.5). Despite having higher AMH and AFC on average after cancer treatment, cancer survivors with PCOS were less likely to meet their reproductive goals compared with survivors without PCOS.