INCT Hormona Presents Evidence on Fertility Preservation in Patients with Breast Cancer

Posted 6/17/2019

Hormone treatment before chemotherapy is associated with good outcomes for prevention of ovarian failure

The use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues (GnRH analogues or GnRHa) before chemotherapy for breast cancer reduces the risk of ovarian failure, thus helping preserve patients’ fertility after treatment. This evidence was presented by the coordinator of the INCT Hormona Center at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), Professor Fernando Marcos dos Reis, during the closing session of the 16th Endofeminina event, held in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul.

“The insult of chemotherapy carries a high risk of ovarian failure, and can trigger early menopause. Recent evidence suggests that administration of a GnRH analogue 15 days before chemotherapy may increase the odds of natural pregnancy after treatment,” said Reis.

Endofeminina was attended by approximately 160 health care providers and researchers on the 14th and 15th of June to discuss scientific and clinical updates in the field of female endocrinology. “It’s all very valuable information for our daily office and hospital practice,” noted Margaret Prietto, a gynecologist of São Lourenço do Sul, who was attending the event for the first time.

SPEAKERS

According to Claudio Elias Kater, a researcher and endocrinologist from São Paulo who gave a lecture on adrenal incidentaloma and subclinical hypercortisolism, Endofeminina “has become a reference among medical events for shedding new light on aspects of endocrinology pertaining to women’s health”.

Endocrinologist Dolores Pardini, a researcher at the Federal University of São Paulo who delivered a lecture on non-hormonal treatment for the climacteric syndrome, stressed that she “is still learning” after having attended 11 editions of the event, and said she will return in future.

Copy: Luiz Sérgio Dibe
Photos: Olga Ferreira