Decision Making and Fertility Preservation in Cancer Patients

Samira Vesali

doi:10.19080/gjorm.2019.07.555703

Abstract

Infertility following cancer treatment in cancer patients is consequently a source of psychosocial and emotional distress and may severely impact quality of life into survivorship [1,2]. Therefore, storing the potential or material to have biological children after cancer treatment can be of high importance to many cancer survivors and help them adjust to life after cancer therapy [3]. There are various fertility preservation (FP) techniques with the aim of saving the possibility of childbearing capacity in prepubertal and pubertal cancer patients [4]. It is important that patients are adequately supported to determine which options are best suited to their individual situation [5]. Decisions surrounding FP in children, adolescents, and adults can be difficult due to the distress of a cancer diagnosis, time constraints for decision-making, and lack of efficacy data, oncological treatment planning and preparation, and possible fertility treatment financial barriers, etc. [6,7].

Highlights

Infertility following cancer treatment in cancer patients is a source of psychosocial and emotional distress and may severely impact quality of life into survivorship [1,2]
Storing the potential or material to have biological children after cancer treatment can be of high importance to many cancer survivors and help them adjust to life after cancer therapy [3]
American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) outlines “oncologists should address the possibility of infertility with patients treated during their reproductive years and be prepared to discuss possible fertility preservation (FP) options or refer appropriate and interested patients to reproductive specialists” [8]

Summary

Introduction

Infertility following cancer treatment in cancer patients is a source of psychosocial and emotional distress and may severely impact quality of life into survivorship [1,2]. Decision Making and Fertility Preservation in Cancer Patients Storing the potential or material to have biological children after cancer treatment can be of high importance to many cancer survivors and help them adjust to life after cancer therapy [3].

Results

Conclusion