INFERTILE women treated with fertility-inducing medications face a modest, statistically significant increase in melanoma risk, a 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis has found.
Fertility Drugs Had Not Been Definitively Linked to Melanoma
Skin cancers are the most common groups of cancers diagnosed worldwide, WHO has reported. In 2022, more than 80% of cases of cutaneous melanoma worldwide were attributable to ultraviolet radiation exposure.
Fertility treatments had not previously been definitively linked to malignant melanoma. However, a large Danish population-based cohort study reported in 2021 a modestly increased risk of malignant melanoma following the use of fertility drugs.
Notably, these findings did not reach statistical significance. Infertility treatments, particularly ovulation-inducing medications, have, however, raised concerns regarding their potential link to melanoma development.
Hormonal stimulation during treatment with ovulation-inducing medications could influence melanoma risk, however, current evidence remains inconclusive, researchers reported in the systematic review.
Researchers aimed to determine the incidence of melanoma in women undergoing fertility treatments, compared with untreated infertile women.
Melanoma Incidence was Higher in Women Exposed to Fertility Treatment
A total of eight cohort studies were included, reporting more than 11,000 cases of melanoma. Follow-up periods ranged from 8.8 to 21 years.
Overall, compared with untreated control groups, infertile women exposed to any fertility treatment had an approximately 16% increased melanoma risk.
Clomiphene showed a nonsignificant trend toward a 75% increased risk of melanoma. Notably, no significant associations were found for assisted reproductive technology, or gonadotropins.
After establishing a small increased risk, researchers called for future large-scale, prospective cohort studies to clarify the association.
References
Brito de Araujo Paysano ML et al. Melanoma risk following fertility treatment in infertile women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Melanoma Res. 2026;DOI:10.1097/CMR.0000000000001090.
Freund L et al. Use of fertility drugs and risk of malignant melanoma: results from a large Danish population-based cohort study. Invest Dermatol. 2021;141(9):2189-2196.
World Health Organization. Skin cancer. 2025. Available at: https://www.iarc.who.int/cancer-type/skin-cancer/. Last accessed: 9 April 2026.
Featured image: Alessandro Grandini on Adobe Stock
