Head and neck tumors and assisted reproductive technologies: social and legal aspects

Abstract

Background. Currently, the proportion of pregnancies obtained by assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) reaches 1.7–4.0 %. Short-term and long-term results of ART implementation require public and, most importantly, legal assessment. Some publications suggest higher risks of congenital deformities and head and neck cancers in children conceived by ART.Objective: to review publications analyzing the problem of head and neck cancers in children conceived by ART and legal protection of the embryo.Materials and methods. We performed retrospective analysis of 42 articles published in 1995–2019, including 33 foreign and 9 Russian articles.Results. Earlier studies have demonstrated that children conceived by ART have an increased risk of cancers, including head and neck cancers, such as central nervous system tumors and retinoblastoma. Recent publications have shown no significant differences in the prevalence of malignant tumors between children born after ART and children conceived naturally. Nevertheless, the risk of developing head and neck tumors is higher in children after ART. The analysis of Russian and international legislation has demonstrated that the legal status of an embryo differs depending on whether it develops in vivo or in vitro.Conclusion. Children conceived by ART are at higher risk of malignant head and neck tumors, primarily central nervous system tumors and retinoblastoma. The legal status of an embryo depends on whether it develops in vivo or in vitro.