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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · South Asian J Cancer 2015; 04(03): 134-139
DOI: 10.4103/2278-330X.173175
Review Article

Fertility preservation in young patients with cancer

Virender Suhag
Department of Radiation Oncology, HOD Radiation Oncology, Army Hospital (Research and Referral), New Delhi
,
B. S. Sunita
Department of Pathology, Base Hospital, New Delhi
,
Arti Sarin
Department of Radiation Oncology, HOD Radiation Oncology, Army Hospital (Research and Referral), New Delhi
,
A. K. Singh
Department of Radiation Oncology, HOD Radiation Oncology, Army Hospital (Research and Referral), New Delhi
,
Dashottar S.
Department of Radiation Oncology, HOD Radiation Oncology, Army Hospital (Research and Referral), New Delhi
› Author Affiliations Source of Support: Nill.
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Abstract

Infertility can arise as a consequence of treatment of oncological conditions. The parallel and continued improvement in both the management of oncology and fertility cases in recent times has brought to the forefront the potential for fertility preservation in patients being treated for cancer. Many survivors will maintain their reproductive potential after the successful completion of treatment for cancer. However total body irradiation, radiation to the gonads, and certain high dose chemotherapy regimens can place women at risk for acute ovarian failure or premature menopause and men at risk for temporary or permanent azoospermia. Providing information about risk of infertility and possible interventions to maintain reproductive potential are critical for the adolescent and young adult population at the time of diagnosis. There are established means of preserving fertility before cancer treatment; specifically, sperm cryopreservation for men and in vitro fertilization and embryo cryopreservation for women. Several innovative techniques are being actively investigated, including oocyte and ovarian follicle cryopreservation, ovarian tissue transplantation, and in vitro follicle maturation, which may expand the number of fertility preservation choices for young cancer patients. Fertility preservation may also require some modification of cancer therapy; thus, patients’ wishes regarding future fertility and available fertility preservation alternatives should be discussed before initiation of therapy.

Key words

Fertility preservation - oncological management - young adults


Publication History

Article published online:
31 December 2020

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