Pregnancy with vitrified oocytes after fertility sparing surgery in a patient with fallopian tube cancer and a BRCA2 mutation: A case report and literature review

Abstract

High-grade carcinomas affecting the ovary or peritoneum may originate from the epithelium of the fallopian tubes. Whilst gynecological cancers are more frequent in post‑menopausal patients, 12.1% of ovarian malignancies are diagnosed in patients of childbearing age, aged <45 years. There is not enough data to provide an accurate estimate on the incidence of relapse, the chance of pregnancy and outcomes of assisted reproduction and fertility-sparing surgery techniques in young patients with ovarian cancer. Moreover, there is currently a lack of data regarding fertility preservation techniques for patients with cancer of the fallopian tubes. To the best of our knowledge, the present report describes the first live newborn birth using vitrified oocytes retrieved before fertility-sparing surgery for primary fallopian tube cancer (stage IC1) in a patient with a BRCA2 mutation. Furthermore, a narrative review of literature from 2000-2024 from several online databases was performed to identify articles involving patients with fallopian tube cancer and BRCA mutations, who underwent fertility preservation with vitrified oocytes and fertility-sparing surgery. A total of 44 manuscripts were retrieved, with only two articles reporting data on pregnancy with vitrified oocytes after fertility-sparing surgery, and 3 cases included. Whilst more research is required for assisted reproductive technology and ovarian cancer, and for the elucidation of the role of BRCA mutations on fertility, the present report aims to provide impetus to further research in this field.