Women who survive childhood cancer are more likely to suffer premature menopause

Women who survive childhood cancer are more likely to suffer premature menopause, according to a study in the July 5 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Risk factors include radiation to the ovaries and certain forms of chemotherapy.

Over 70% of children or adolescents diagnosed with cancer will survive long-term. Survivors have an increased risk of premature menopause, defined as menopause before age 40.

Charles A. Sklar, M.D., of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York, and colleagues examined the incidence of and risk factors for premature menopause in 2,819 childhood cancer survivors over age 18 as identified in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study and 1,065 female siblings of survivors.

The authors observed that premature menopause occurred in 126 childhood cancer survivors and 33 siblings. Non-surgical premature menopause occurred more frequently in childhood cancer survivors. For cancer patients treated with both abdominal-pelvic radiation and the class of chemotherapy known as alkylating drugs, the cumulative incidence of premature menopause was nearly 30%. Age, radiation to the ovaries, a diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma, and treatment with alkylating chemotherapy increased a cancer survivor's risk of premature menopause.

The authors write, "The results of this study will facilitate counseling current survivors about their future risk of premature menopause and will aid in designing new regimens that seek to diminish late ovarian toxicity."