Experiences in fertility preservation: lessons learned to ensure that fertility and reproductive autonomy remain options for cancer survivors

Purpose Assess fertility preservation (FP) measures chosen by patients newly diagnosed with malignancy and their outcomes. Methods Reproductive-age patients referred for FP underwent counseling and elected cryopreservation vs. no treatment. Outcome measures included ovarian stimulation, FP choice, o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of assisted reproduction and genetics 2013-10, Vol.30 (10), p.1263-1270
Main Authors: Noyes, Nicole, Melzer, Katherine, Druckenmiller, Sarah, Fino, M. Elizabeth, Smith, Meghan, Knopman, Jaime M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Age
Cancer therapies
Cryopreservation
Embryos
Female
Females
Fertility
Fertility Preservation
Fertility Preservation - methods
Gynecology
Human Genetics
Humans
Infertility, Female - pathology
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Neoplasms - pathology
Oocytes
Ovaries
Ovary - pathology
Ovulation
Ovulation Induction
Patients
Pharmaceuticals
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Outcome
Reproductive Health
Reproductive Medicine
Survivors
Zygote
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Summary:Purpose Assess fertility preservation (FP) measures chosen by patients newly diagnosed with malignancy and their outcomes. Methods Reproductive-age patients referred for FP underwent counseling and elected cryopreservation vs. no treatment. Outcome measures included ovarian stimulation, FP choice, oocytes/zygotes retrieved/cryopreserved and pregnancy outcome. Results From 2005 to 2012, 136 patients were counseled with 124 electing treatment: 83 oocyte-only, 21 oocyte + zygote and 20 zygote-only cryopreservation. Age, partnership and financial status factored into FP choice. Treatment was completed in 12 ± 2 days with 14 ± 11 metaphase-II oocytes harvested and cryopreserved/cycle. Eight patients returned to attempt pregnancy; three succeeded. Conclusions Our data demonstrate that oocyte and/or zygote banking are feasible FP options for women with malignancy; given the choice, the majority elected oocyte cryopreservation, highlighting desire for reproductive autonomy. Continued growth and research, combined with interdisciplinary communication, will ensure that appropriate candidates are offered FP and the potential for future parenthood, an important quality-of-life marker for survivors.
ISSN:1058-0468
1573-7330
DOI:10.1007/s10815-013-0066-2