In vivo oocyte retrieval in a young woman with ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: Oocyte cryopreservation is rapidly becoming an option for single women recently diagnosed with cancer who wish to preserve their fertility. We describe oocyte retrieval in young women with invasive ovarian cancer. CASE: A 23-year-old nulliparous woman had recurrence of a mixed ovarian germ cell tumor after unilateral oophorectomy. Concern of involvement of her remaining ovary and need for postoperative chemotherapy prompted decision to perform controlled ovarian hyperstimulation followed by intraoperative in vivo oocyte retrieval.
CONCLUSION: Oocyte cryopreservation through controlled ovarian hyperstimulation leading up to oocyte retrieval at the time of surgical staging for gynecologic malignancies can be coordinated in a timely fashion, affording fertility preservation without significant treatment delay. Greater awareness of this capability may prompt extension of oocyte cryopreservation services to all potential candidates and help mobilize the establishment of referral pathways and multidisciplinary teams of general gynecologists, gynecologic oncologists, and reproductive endocrinologists.