Hum. Reprod. Advance Access originally published online on November 16, 2007
Human Reproduction 2008 23(1):178-186; doi:10.1093/humrep/dem362
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Parenthood probability and pregnancy outcome in patients with a cancer diagnosis during adolescence and young adulthood
1 Rikshospitalet-Radiumhospitalet Medical Center, Department of Clinical Cancer Research, University of Oslo, Montebello, 0310 Oslo, Norway 2 Medical Faculty, University of Oslo, Montebello, 0310 Oslo, Norway 3 The Medical Birth Registry of Norway, National Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway 4 Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
5 Correspondence address. E-mail: henriette.magelssen{at}radiumhospitalet.no Tel: +47-22935791; Fax: +47-22934553
BACKGROUND: To compare first-time parenthood probability and pregnancy outcome between cancer patients and the general population.
METHODS: Data from a hospital registry on cancer patients aged 15–35 years at diagnosis, including date/type of diagnosis, treatment and date of death, were merged with data from the Cancer Registry and the Medical Birth Registry, providing date of childbirth, IVF, pregnancy outcomes and demographics.
RESULTS: The first-time parenthood probability at the age of 35 years was 63% in male patients (n = 463) and 64% in the male general population (n = 367 068). Figures in female patients were 66% (n = 284) compared with 79% in the female general population (n = 349 576) (P = 0.007). A total of 487 male and 251 female cancer patients were childless pre-diagnosis, and 130 male and 104 female cancer patients had one child before diagnosis and at least one birth post-diagnosis. Congenital anomalies were more frequent in first-borns to previously childless male patients [adjusted odds ratio (ORadj): 1.5; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1–2.3]. The risk of low birth weight and preterm delivery after cancer was increased in infants born to female patients, as was perinatal mortality (ORadj 2.3; 95% CI: 1.1–5.0) among post-diagnosis first births.
CONCLUSIONS: The first-time parenthood probability in 35-year old cancer patients is 
60%, which in female patients is significantly reduced compared with the general population. Post-diagnosis pregnancies to female patients are high-risk pregnancies.
Key words: parenthood probability/pregnancy outcome/cancer/general population/adolescence
Submitted on June 28, 2007; resubmitted on October 9, 2007; accepted on October 18, 2007.