IVF: the hormonal treatments in question in the growth of meningiomas
Original article in the mirror here: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ivf-left-brain-tumour-size-23806817
The hormone therapy necessary for any in vitro fertilization is an important factor in growth in brain tumors. Serena Jardine paid the price. A few months after the birth of his son James, the doctors discovered a tumor in the brain the size of an orange. Alerted by increasingly important distractions, then disabling migraines, she consulted when she found herself unable to speak. Operated in an emergency for ten hours, it was "saved", still retaining eye and motor sequelae.
This type of meningioma "can develop quickly in women who have undergone IVF and other hormonal treatments" explains Dr Anthony Ghosh. Neurosurgeon formed by the one who operated Serena, he believes that "IVF has been the catalyst". Hormonal treatments do not create meningioma, but if it is already present, even tiny and benign, then the hormones administered for IVF will "accelerate its growth".
Serena, married in 2005 at the age of 38, chained five IVF cycles and three false layers before the birth of James in December 2012. In 2006, she spent a scanner for ears pain. His tiny meningioma was already present, but he was not noticed at the time. "I had no idea that I had a brain tumor - or that the hormones I had taken could accelerate growth" deplores Serena today. During IVF cycles, "you are told to inject you this every day and take this, but no one really explains what these hormones can do and the potential damage they can cause." She who took hormones "for seven years" to get her baby, "ended up with an orange size tumor", "putting her life in danger".
According to Dr. Anthony Ghosh, among patients with meningiomas, there are two women for a man, "hence the theory that they contain estrogen and progesterone receptors". This would partly explain why meningiomas are sensitive to hormones. "We have also seen women suffering from gender dysphoria who receive estrogen therapy developing multiple meningiomas adds the neurosurgeon, and when they stop treatment, we see meningiomas regress". He adds that 12% of women with meningiomas previously used IVF.
Find our other articles here
