open access

Vol 71, No 5 (2021)
Research paper (original)
Published online: 2021-10-13
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Strategies and results of oncofertility counseling in young breast cancer patients

Joanna Kufel-Grabowska12, Piotr Jędrzejczak3, Mikołaj Bartoszkiewicz4, Paweł Burchardt5, Maria Litwiniuk67
·
Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology 2021;71(5):263-266.
Affiliations
  1. Department of Electroradiology, Poznan University of Medical Sceinces, Poznan, Poland
  2. Department of Chemotherapy, University Hospital of Lord's Transfiguration, Poznan, Poland
  3. Department of Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
  4. Department of Immunobiology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
  5. Department of Hypertension, Angiology and Internal Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
  6. Department of Chemotherapy, Greater Poland Cancer Center, Poznan, Poland
  7. Department of Cancer Pathology and Prevention, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland

open access

Vol 71, No 5 (2021)
Original article
Published online: 2021-10-13

Abstract

Introduction. Breast cancer (BC) is the most common female neoplasm in Poland and worldwide, yet up to 7% of all cases is diagnosed < 40 years of age. The increased BC morbidity rate in this age group as well as hope for late maternity need special attention.

Material and methods. The data concerning the number of children and further procreation needs in women (n = 68), aged 18–40, diagnosed and treated for early breast cancer at the Greater Poland Cancer Center in 2018–2019, were taken from patients’ histories by an oncologist before (neo-)adjuvant systemic therapy.

Results. Out of the 68 females surveyed, aged 18–40 (median age 36), 14 (21%) were childless at the moment of diagnosis. After being informed about the therapy, prognosis, side effects and oncofertility, 12 patients (18%) decided to have a consultation with a specialist in reproductive medicine; 5 of them (7%) already had children. In 2 women (3%), hormonal stimulation in combination with tamoxifen was used; then, oocytes were collected and cryopreserved. In 19 (28%), gonadotropine analogues were added to (neo-)adjuvant chemotherapy. In 17 patients (25%) pathogenic mutations in BRCA1/2 genes were found.

Conclusions. Oncofertility counseling in young BC patients should be one of the fundamental elements of complex patient care.

Abstract

Introduction. Breast cancer (BC) is the most common female neoplasm in Poland and worldwide, yet up to 7% of all cases is diagnosed < 40 years of age. The increased BC morbidity rate in this age group as well as hope for late maternity need special attention.

Material and methods. The data concerning the number of children and further procreation needs in women (n = 68), aged 18–40, diagnosed and treated for early breast cancer at the Greater Poland Cancer Center in 2018–2019, were taken from patients’ histories by an oncologist before (neo-)adjuvant systemic therapy.

Results. Out of the 68 females surveyed, aged 18–40 (median age 36), 14 (21%) were childless at the moment of diagnosis. After being informed about the therapy, prognosis, side effects and oncofertility, 12 patients (18%) decided to have a consultation with a specialist in reproductive medicine; 5 of them (7%) already had children. In 2 women (3%), hormonal stimulation in combination with tamoxifen was used; then, oocytes were collected and cryopreserved. In 19 (28%), gonadotropine analogues were added to (neo-)adjuvant chemotherapy. In 17 patients (25%) pathogenic mutations in BRCA1/2 genes were found.

Conclusions. Oncofertility counseling in young BC patients should be one of the fundamental elements of complex patient care.

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Keywords

oncofertility; breast cancer; BRCA1/2 mutation; young women

About this article
Title

Strategies and results of oncofertility counseling in young breast cancer patients

Journal

Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology

Issue

Vol 71, No 5 (2021)

Article type

Research paper (original)

Pages

263-266

Published online

2021-10-13

Page views

6141

Article views/downloads

369

DOI

10.5603/NJO.2021.0053

Bibliographic record

Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology 2021;71(5):263-266.

Keywords

oncofertility
breast cancer
BRCA1/2 mutation
young women

Authors

Joanna Kufel-Grabowska
Piotr Jędrzejczak
Mikołaj Bartoszkiewicz
Paweł Burchardt
Maria Litwiniuk

References (10)
  1. Assi HA, Khoury KE, Dbouk H, et al. Epidemiology and prognosis of breast cancer in young women. J Thorac Dis. 2013; 5 Suppl 1: S2–S8.
  2. Oktay K, Harvey BE, Loren AW, et al. Fertility Preservation in Patients With Cancer: ASCO Clinical Practice Guideline Update. J Clin Oncol. 2018; 36(19): 1994–2001.
  3. Narod SA. BRCA mutations in the management of breast cancer: the state of the art. Nat Rev Clin Oncol. 2010; 7(12): 702–707.
  4. Erić I, Petek Erić A, Kristek J, et al. BREAST CANCER IN YOUNG WOMEN: PATHOLOGIC AND IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL FEATURES. Acta Clin Croat. 2018; 57(3): 497–502.
  5. Abdel-Razeq H, Al-Omari A, Zahran F, et al. Germline BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations among high risk breast cancer patients in Jordan. BMC Cancer. 2018; 18(1): 152.
  6. EUROSTAT. Women are having their first child at an older age. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/-/DDN-20200515-2 (11.02.2021).
  7. Lachowicz M, Kufel-Grabowska J, Bartoszkiewicz M, et al. Sexual well being of breast cancer patients. Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology. 2021; 71(4): 232–237.
  8. Patel P, Kohn TP, Cohen J, et al. Evaluation of Reported Fertility Preservation Counseling Before Chemotherapy Using the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative Survey. JAMA Netw Open. 2020; 3(7): e2010806.
  9. Jassem J, Krzakowski M, Bobek-Billewicz B, et al. Rak piersi. Onkol Prakt Klin Edu. 2020; 6(5): 297–352.
  10. Ter Welle-Butalid ME, Vriens IJ, Derhaag JG, et al. Counseling young women with early breast cancer on fertility preservation. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2019; 36(12): 2593–2604.

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