Fatal colon cancer in a young egg donor: a physician mother's call for follow-up and research on the long-term risks of ovarian stimulation
Received 12 October 2007; received in revised form 20 December 2007; accepted 20 December 2007. published online 04 March 2008.
Objective
To present a case report of fatal colon cancer in a young, previously healthy woman 4 years after repeated ovarian stimulation for egg donation, review previous publications on the risks of ovarian stimulation, and make recommendations for further egg donor follow-up, research, and actions by professional associations and regulatory agencies.
Design
Case report and review of the literature.
Setting
Case report and review of the literature.
Patient(s)
One patient and published cases.
Intervention(s)
None.
Main Outcome Measure(s)
None.
Result(s)
There has been no systematic study of the long-term risk of cancer or other adverse outcomes in healthy egg donors.
Conclusion(s)
At present, potential egg donors cannot give truly informed consent because insufficient information exists about their long-term risks.
Arizona Community Physicians, Tucson, Arizona
Reprint requests: Jennifer P. Schneider, M.D., Arizona Community Physicians, 1500 North Wilmot Road, Suite B 250, Tucson, AZ 85712 (FAX: 520-290-0596).
J. S. has nothing to disclose.
Dr. Schneider reports being the mother of an egg donor who subsequently died at age 31 of colon cancer.
ABSTRACT