Woman with recurrent ovarian tumour delivers healthy baby after fertility-preservation treatment

The woman wished to have a child using her own eggs, even as specialists assessed the risks associated with the condition and the limited ovarian tissue remaining

Updated - October 20, 2026 02:39 pm IST - Bengaluru

Although removal of both ovaries and fallopian tubes, along with the omentum, was recommended as definitive treatment for the recurrent tumour while preserving the possibility of pregnancy, the couple wanted to explore the possibility of having a genetically related child. | Photo Credit: Galina Yureva

A 32-year-old woman with a recurrent ovarian tumour delivered a healthy baby after undergoing fertility-preservation treatment and in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) despite having very low ovarian reserve following two previous surgeries.

The woman was diagnosed with a borderline seromucinous ovarian tumour with microinvasion at the age of 30. Fifteen months later, an MRI revealed a large cyst in the left ovary, prompting a second surgery. The tumour recurred in the same ovary within three months.

Consequently, the woman was referred to Milann Fertility and Birthing Hospital in Bengaluru. She wished to have a child using her own eggs, even as specialists assessed the risks associated with the condition and the limited ovarian tissue remaining.

At Milann hospital, scans showed a complex cyst in the left ovary and only two visible follicles, which contain eggs. Her right ovary could not be visualised, and her anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level was 0.6 ng/ml, indicating very low ovarian reserve.

The case was managed by a multidisciplinary team that planned treatment to address the recurrent tumour while preserving the possibility of pregnancy. Although removal of both ovaries and fallopian tubes, along with the omentum, was recommended as definitive treatment, the couple wanted to explore the possibility of having a genetically related child.

The team adopted a two-stage approach, first removing the affected ovarian tissue while preserving access to the remaining tissue, and then proceeding with fertility treatment. Testing confirmed a borderline tumour with microinvasion but found no evidence of spread into surrounding tissues.

To limit hormonal exposure, the team used a low-oestrogen stimulation protocol for IVF. The first embryo transfer did not result in pregnancy. Further evaluation suggested chronic endometritis, or inflammation of the uterine lining, which was treated with anti-biotics followed by pro-biotics.

For the next attempt, the team opted for a natural-cycle frozen embryo transfer to avoid additional hormonal stimulation. A single high-quality embryo was transferred, and a pregnancy test 14 days later was positive. An ultrasound at seven weeks confirmed a singleton pregnancy. The woman continued oncological surveillance alongside pregnancy care and, subsequently, delivered a healthy baby.

“Our priority was to preserve her fertility while minimising hormonal exposure. A personalised IVF approach and natural-cycle embryo transfer helped us achieve pregnancy,” said T. Shilpa Reddy, consultant in Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecology at the hospital.

Published - October 20, 2026 02:21 pm IST

Terms & conditions | Institutional Subscriber

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.