I-6: Fertility Preservation in Male Patient with Cancer

Studies suggest that the ability to have biological children is of great importance to many people. The cancer and its treatment often pose a threat to fertility. Rates of permanent infertility and compromised fertility after cancer treatment vary and depend on many factors. Male infertility can result from the disease itself (best documented in patients with testicular cancer and Hodgkin’s lymphoma), complications of surgery for cancer (e.g., retrograde ejaculation or anejaculation), primary or secondary hormonal insufficiency, chemotherapy, and radiation exposure can all result in temporary or permanent damage to sperm production, and fertility may be compromised soon after treatment begins. The effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy depend on: 1. Drug or size/location of the radiation field 2. Dose, dose-intensity 3. Method of administration (oral versus intravenous) 4. Disease 5. Age 6. Sex 7. Pretreatment fertility of the patient. Fertility preservation in these patients includes: 1. Minimization of adverse effect of treatments 2. Fertility preservation options for men undergoing cancer treatment 3. Methods of fertility restoration after completion of cancer treatment We will discuss these measures in adult, adolescent and children.