Ovarian cancer and fertility: Some treatment options women can explore

However, an ovarian cancer diagnosis does not necessarily mean an end to a woman’s dream of becoming a mother. “For women who wish to conceive after ovarian cancer treatment, there are several fertility options available, including IVF, egg donation, surrogacy besides adoption,” explained Dr Raizada.

How ovarian cancer impacts women’s fertility

Treatment for ovarian cancer depends on the stage and type of cancer, as well as the patient’s overall health. Surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and sometimes radiation therapy are the choice of treatment for ovarian cancer.

Adding, Dr Hemant B Tongaonkar, senior Director – Urologic and Gynaecologic Oncosurgery and Head – Surgical Oncology told indianexpress.com that a woman’s fertility can be significantly impacted by ovarian cancer and its treatment. “Surgical removal of one or both ovaries, as well as chemotherapy, can affect egg production and hormone levels, leading to infertility,” he added.

“The possibility of conceiving after ovarian cancer treatment varies depending on the extent of the surgery and the type of treatment. If only one ovary is removed, natural conception may still be possible. However, if both ovaries are removed or severely damaged by treatment, a woman will not be able to conceive naturally,” he continued.

Ovarian cancer patients can look into IVF treatment options. (Pic source: Freepik)

But, as pointed out by experts, a woman may still conceive after ovarian cancer diagnosis

It is possible for women to conceive post ovarian-cancer treatment but it is contingent on various factors. Consulting a qualified fertility specialist at the earliest is vital for embarking on your fertility preservation journey.

Below are some fertility options that women can explore, as shared by Dr Nikhil S Ghadyalpatil, Senior Consultant Medical Oncologist and hemato-Oncologist, Yashoda Hospitals Hyderabad. They are:

1. Egg-freezing: Freezing eggs or embryos before undergoing cancer treatment is an option for women who desire to have a child. This process involves stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs and then retrieving them for storage. Eggs or embryos can then be thawed and used in the future for in vitro fertilization (IVF) when the survivor is ready to conceive. This approach may also involve a gestational carrier, whereby the embryos are implanted in a surrogate or another person’s womb.

2. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation: This involves removing a portion of the ovary and freezing it for later use. The ovarian tissue can then be re-implanted or transplanted at a later time, potentially restoring ovarian function and improving the chances of natural conception. This option is still experimental, and more research is needed to determine its effectiveness.

3. Donor eggs or embryos: Ovarian cancer survivors may also have the option of using donor eggs or embryos to conceive if their own ovaries no longer function properly. This process involves using another person’s eggs, typically from a younger, healthy donor, or embryos created from donor eggs and sperm. This approach may involve using a gestational carrier, as the survivor’s uterus may have been affected by cancer treatment.

Apart from these options, Dr Tongaonkar shared that ovarian transposition may also be used depending upon the patient’s health condition. “In specific cases, a surgeon may reposition the ovaries to protect them from radiation therapy. It is called ovarian transposition,” explaind Dr Tongaonkar.

Speaking about a more precise treatment for ovarian cancer in coming years, Dr Raizada shares, “Precision oncology is gaining momentum in ovarian cancer as well. Like all other cancers, we try and look for newer pathways or targets to treat better”.

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