Ensuring your fertility before an oncological treatment

Everyday more women and men are diagnosed with cancer at fertile age. Some of the cancers with the highest impact are breast and prostate cancer.

In women, breast cancer has a high survival rate thanks to the early detection through breast examination and ultrasound controls. Also other relevant type is the gynecological cancer, a term that includes ovarian, uterine and cervical cancer. This kind of tumor can have a direct impact on the fertility, due to the need for treatment in the reproductive areas.

In men, the prevalence of prostate cancer increases with the age, but thanks to early diagnosis, through a blood test, survival rates are very high. In addition, another type of cancer, such as testicular cancer, affects young men of fertile age, although with a lower frequency. Self-palpation of the testicles is recommended for early detection and prompt treatment.

The cancer itself, and the future treatment to reverse its effects, can have negative consequences on the patient’s fertility, causing both temporary and permanent infertility. Therefore, before starting treatment, it is important to discuss with your doctor the different options you have to preserve your fertility before cancer treatment.

THE TUMOR AND THE TREATMENT PRESCRIBED TO COMBAT IT CAN HAVE NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON THE FERTILITY OF WOMEN AND MEN

HOW DOES IT AFFECT FERTILITY?

Cancer can affect in different ways depending on the location and its stage of development and if it produces hormonal alterations. In addition, the risk of infertility will vary depending on several factors such as the age and health of the patient, the type of surgery, the type and dose of treatment administered, the body’s response to these, among others.

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments can affect the production of reproductive cells. In men, it could affect the production of healthy spermand even the ejaculation process, and in women it would affect the development of healthy eggs, causing spontaneous abortions.

HOW IS THE PRESERVATION PROCESS FOR AN ONCOLOGY PATIENT?

In men, the ideal would be to freeze several semen samples, although this will depend on the quality of each patient’s sample. If the first one has very good quality, it would not be necessary to freeze more because we would have a good number of frozen sperm for future assisted reproduction treatment.

In women, there are different options to preserve fertility, but some are still in the experimental phase, so the most used is oocyte vitrification.

The process requires an ovarian stimulation, carried out with hormonal treatment (personalized depending on each patient) through which an attempt will be made to obtain the largest possible number of eggs. These are collected in a simple surgical procedure that does not require hospitalization, for a later cryoconservation by vitrification. The oocytes will be kept in tanks with liquid nitrogen at -196ºC and they will be available till the woman decides to use them or not.

WHEN SHOULD THIS TREATMENT START?

Usually ovarian stimulation begins with the period, but if necessary we can adjust the starting time in any step of the cycle. In these cases it is essential to start as soon as possible and always before starting chemotherapy.

The semen cryopreservation would be ideal to be done as soon as possible, in case it is necessary to accumulate more than one sample.

It is essential to start as soon as possible, and always before starting the chemotherapy treatment.

WHAT ADVANTAGES DOES IT OFFER ME, DOES IT ENSURE FERTILITY IN THE FUTURE?

The oocyte vitrification process (egg freezing) is a safe procedure that allows the use of eggs in the future. The survival rate after thawing is around 77-90%.

These eggs can be inseminated with partner or donor sperm to generate viable embryos that can be transferred.

The probability of a future successful pregnancy will depend on the number and quality of available oocytes, the quality of the semen used and the later embryo quality, but it is a very safe technique that offers high probability of success.

Freezing the seminal sample is a quick and highly recommended process that will allow to have semen available in future. Thanks to this procedure, several cycles of in vitro fertilisation could be guaranteed, if necessary.

GET INFORMED TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE

It is recommended to speak with your doctor, before undergoing an oncological treatment or surgery and find out how it could affect your fertility and the possibilities offered by the cryopreservation.

There is a way to overcome this situation and create a family

Being diagnosed with cancer is a very complex situation but there is a high probability of survival in most of the cases, so your reproductive health should be assured at all times. Usually, the treatments that are prescribed can affect fertility, therefore, the correct advice from your oncology specialist is so important. It will be the key to ensure your reproductive future and your emotional well-being.

HC Fertility is the assisted Reproduction Unit of HC Marbella International Hospital, which has a highly standard oncological unit, with well-known professionals and the most advanced technology in cancer treatments on the Costa del Sol.

At HC Fertility, we will support you in this process so you can get over it quickly and achieve your dream.