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.