How successful is IVF after definitive radiation therapy to the pelvis for endometrial cancer?
How do you counsel a pre-menopausal female with endometrioid cancer desiring definitive RT with egg harvesting and IVF for fertility preservation instead of hysterectomy? What is the chance for IVF implantation success after definitive radiation (EBRT + BT) for uterine cancer?
2 Answers
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Radiation Oncology · University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Answered on
The most extensive data regarding the effects of uterine RT are for pre and peri-menarchal girls. Although women who had pelvic RT as children can often become pregnant if the ovaries are still functional, even doses as low as 10-20 Gy cause atrophic development of the uterus with decreased uterine ...
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Radiation Oncology · Varian Medical Systems/Allegheny health network
Answered on
I have come across this situation in young patients with vulvar cancer where pelvic nodes need to be treated. Since the central organs are not at risk, I have spared the ovaries (by oopheropexy) and the uterus as much as possible from RT, and have had those patients continue normal uterine function.
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