Successful transfer of frozen-thawed embryos obtained after subtotal colectomy for colorectal cancer and before fluorouracil-based chemotherapy

Background. Fertility preservation is applied to patients with cancer who may be rendered sterile from chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Fluorouracil is considered as having almost no effect on human reproductive function, although clinical data defining infertility risk is negligible. Case. Controlled ovarian stimulation, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and embryo freezing were performed before fluorouracil-based chemotherapy in a 28-year-old woman who underwent subtotal colectomy for colorectal cancer (CRC). Three years later, when the clinical and hormonal analysis confirmed ovarian failure, two thawed embryos were transferred to the uterus. She gave birth at term to a 3200g infant. Discussion. Women with good prognosis who wish to bear children in the future should be offered fertility preservation options before chemotherapy, even if the likelihood of permanent ovarian failure appears to be negligible. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.