Oncofertility Program

While the success of cancer treatments continues to rise, the side effects of those treatments are still being realized. For women, certain therapies can cause ovarian damage or failure, early menopause, genetic damage to growing eggs and other reproductive problems. For men, cancer treatments can cause damage to the testes and interfere with sperm production. There are many new technologies to help people preserve their fertility.

Fertility Preservation Options

For Women:
Embryo Freezing: this technique has demonstrated success rates and takes anywhere from 2-6 weeks to complete. A woman’s ovaries are first stimulated to mature multiple eggs, which are then removed and fertilized through in vitro fertilization (IVF) with sperm to create embryos. The embryos are then frozen for future use.

Egg Freezing: this is a new technology with limited availability. It also takes 2-6 weeks to complete. During egg freezing, eggs are retrieved from the ovaries, frozen in a cryoprotective solution, and then thawed when couples wish to become pregnant. This is a good option for single women who currently do not have a male partner and do not want to use donor sperm.

Ovarian Tissue Freezing: this technique is an experimental but promising option that is good for patients with little or no time for ovarian stimulation before cancer treatment. One of a woman’s ovaries is removed in a 1-hour outpatient procedure. The ovary is divided into strips, frozen and stored until cancer treatments are completed. Thawed tissue is then re-implanted and, when successful, the tissue resumes producing hormones and maturing eggs. This service is provided under the auspices of an institutionally-approved study and may not be available at all Centers.

Ovarian Suppression: another experimental technique, this is the only option that can be performed during cancer treatment. Medications are used to suppress the ovaries and prevent them from producing hormones or maturing eggs until after cancer treatment.

Donor Eggs and Donor Embryos: these two techniques are performed after cancer treatments are completed. They use eggs or embryos that are donated from young, healthy donors to initiate a pregnancy. Patients can be assisted in attempting pregnancies with donor eggs or embryos. Donor eggs can be fertilized with a partner’s or a donor’s sperm to create embryos that are transferred back into the woman through IVF. In embryo donation, pregnancy may be achieved with the help of couples who have completed their families with the help of in vitro fertilization, and have additional but unneeded embryos they are willing to share.

For Men:
Sperm Banking: this technique has demonstrated success rates and uses sperm that is donated through sexual stimulation or during a minor outpatient procedure. Sperm is then analyzed, frozen and stored for future use.

Support

A significant part of care focuses on counseling and guidance on making the best decisions for infertility treatment. All services benefit from the guidance of specialized experts who focus on different aspects of care – such as financial counseling and assistance programs and psychological support.

It is important to learn more about these procedures and eligibility before cancer treatments begin.

Back to Infertility Treatment