How Ovarian Cancer Treatment May Affect Fertility

Women diagnosed with ovarian cancer should consult a fertility specialist immediately, as options like egg or embryo freezing are most effective before treatment begins, according to Dr. Shahin Ghadir, who is board-certified in both Obstetrics and Gynecology, as well as Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, at HRC Fertility of Beverly Hills.

He goes on to explain that therapeutic advances such as in vitro maturation, donor eggs and surrogacy expand post-treatment reproductive options. Fertility teams also support patients emotionally, addressing misconceptions and helping make the process as seamless as possible.

To delve deeper into this topic, Ghadir sat down for an interview with CURE.

CURE: For women recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer, what are the most important things they should know about how treatment could affect fertility?

Ghadir: If someone has been recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer, they need to speak to a fertility specialist immediately and see if freezing their eggs in advance is still feasible, or possibly after removing that ovary, maybe egg freezing can be performed with the other ovary.

What fertility preservation options, such as egg or embryo freezing, are typically available before treatment begins, and how soon should patients consider these choices?

Most females diagnosed with ovarian cancer are encouraged to discuss with their oncologist if they are able to do a very immediate and quick egg freezing cycle that can then be frozen as eggs or as embryos if they have a partner or sperm available.

How do oncologists and fertility specialists typically work together to help patients make timely decisions about fertility preservation?

As a fertility specialist that has been helping women for approximately 20 years, I have a very close relationship with many oncologists that will pick up the phone and call me immediately and generally within 24 hours. I make sure to get patients into my office if they are diagnosed with cancer because time is incredibly important in these cases.

What advances in assisted reproductive technologies have improved options for women who have completed ovarian cancer treatment but still wish to build a family?

Being able to freeze someone’s eggs or embryos prior to chemotherapy or radiation are some of the most important advances in the world of fertility. However, the use of donor eggs, if this was not possible, still allows patients who do not have functioning ovaries to have beautiful families.

What emotional or practical challenges do patients often face when balancing urgent cancer treatment with fertility planning, and how can they best prepare?

As a reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist, my team is one of my most incredible assets. We are there for our cancer patients and provide support and guidance through every single step of the way. We make sure to make the process as seamless and as easy as possible for them.

Are there misconceptions you often hear from patients regarding fertility after an ovarian cancer diagnosis, and how do you address them?

The most common misconception for a cancer patient that was treated for ovarian cancer is that they can never have children. This is not true. There are alternative methods using egg donation and surrogacy that allow anyone to have children, but we also try to prioritize patients having their own biological child and to carry a pregnancy if possible.

Looking ahead, what developments in oncofertility give you the most optimism for improving patient outcomes?

There are many areas of in vitro maturation which allows us to remove immature eggs from the female body. A very quick and expedited manner that are currently being studied and excelling in this area of science, will allow us to freeze eggs in the easier manner for these patients prior to cancer treatment.

Transcript edited for clarity and conciseness.

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