J Korean Soc Matern Child Health.  2016 Sep;20(3):204-210. 10.21896/jksmch.2016.20.3.204.

Fertility Preservation in Female Cancer Patients

• Park CW

• KMID: 2449549
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21896/jksmch.2016.20.3.204

Abstract

Recent anticancer treatments have led to significant reduction in mortality, but also to an increase in unwanted side effects such as loss of fertility. Combined with an increased age for childbearing, a higher number of cancer survivors require fertility preservation to be pregnant after cancer treatment. The threat of cancer treatment-related infertility can lead to psychological distress, and many patients are interested in maintaining fertility and future pregnancy at the time of cancer diagnosis. International guidelines recommend that physicians discuss, as early as possible, with all patients of reproductive age their risk of infertility from the disease and/or treatment and inform fertility preservation options. Embryo/oocyte cryopreservation are standard strategies for fertility preservation in female patients. Another strategy is pharmacological protection with gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRH agonist). Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is still considered experimental techniques. In the present manuscript, we summarize and discuss the up-to-date knowledge on fertility preservation in women with cancer patients.

Keyword

female; cancer; fertility preservation

MeSH Terms

Cryopreservation
Diagnosis
Female*
Fertility Preservation*
Fertility*
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
Humans
Infertility
Mortality
Pregnancy
Survivors
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone