Fertility Preservation in Young Men Treated for Malignancies: Options for Precancer Treatment.

Abstract

Fertility preservation (FP) is an essential component of treatment for young men with a new cancer diagnosis. To discuss the barriers and recommendations for FP along with the impacts of cancer and cancer treatment on fertility, and to present the various options for FP in young men prior to cancer treatment. Literature Review. To evaluate the options for FP in young men, including novel and experimental options for pre-pubertal boys. With the advent of assisted reproductive technologies, fertility can be successfully preserved in the majority of post-pubertal patients with sperm cryopreservation, neurostimulatory methods of ejaculation, or surgical sperm retrieval procedures. All men with a new diagnosis of cancer, including adolescents and children, should be offered FP prior to undergoing treatment. Sperm cryopreservation, the mainstay of FP, should be encouraged regardless of the treatment plan. Even without significant abnormalities on semen analysis, prompt referral to a male fertility specialist is recommended. Coward RM, Kovac JR, Smith RP, and Lipshultz LI. Fertility preservation in young mentreated for malignancies: Options for precancer treatment. Sex Med Rev 2013;1:123-134.