Egg retrieval with cryopreservation does not delay breast cancer treatment

BACKGROUND: Infertility is a concern to young women diagnosed with breast cancer. Advances in fertility technology have made it possible to bank fertilized embryos. METHODS: Twenty-three women, ages 27 to 40 years, underwent stimulation/oocyte retrieval before the start of adjuvant therapies. Time intervals between retrieval and therapeutic procedures were analyzed. RESULTS: The average stimulation to egg retrieval was 11.5 days (range 9-20 d). The average time interval from first evaluation to oocyte retrieval was 33.3 days (range 10-65 d). Overall, the mean time from definitive surgery to initiation of chemotherapy was 46.8 days (n = 20). For 6 patients referred by surgeons, the mean time from fertility consult to retrieval was 48.8 days (range 16-118 d), and from definitive surgery to initiation of chemotherapy was 45 days (range 15-93 d). CONCLUSIONS: Egg retrieval cryopreservation can be integrated with breast cancer work-up and surgical procedures. Early referrals to a fertility specialist by surgeons will help patients' safeguard future childbearing.