Chemotherapy, hormone therapy, radiotherapy and brachytherapy, often combined with surgery, are common treatments for Cancer. Increasingly effective, they offer improved prognosis especially in children and young adults. Then it remains for the former patients to live with the possible sequelae linked to these heavy treatments …
Storage of eggs or sperm
Inca (National Cancer Institute) and the Biomedicine Agency underline in a report the lack of information for patients on the risks ofinfertility after anti-cancer treatment. “Many young patients have to deal with the after-effects of cancer treatments. Treatments combining variously surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, may alter reproductive function (gametogenesis, gamete quality, endocrine function, sexuality). “
This is why these two organizations stress the importance of offering children, adolescents and young adults fertility preservation techniques before starting cancer treatment. “Certain options, particularly in prepubescent boys or even adolescents and young adults are still experimental and there is hope and an essential stake here. Embryos, oocytes, spermatozoa and germinal tissues can be preserved without damage until patients released from their illness can consider starting a family. “
Coordinated care
Regional cryobiology platforms associated with centers for the study and conservation of sperm (CECOS) already exist but must be organized to allow “close collaboration of specialists in oncology, medicine and reproductive biology, to better, coordinated and rapid support for patients “. Research on the prevention and reduction of the risks of impaired fertility and its restoration must also be carried out.
As some of the fertility conservation methods are still effectively experimental, it is essential above all “that the multidisciplinary teams discuss with the patients and their families if they are children. If all the patients are not candidates or choose not to continue with the process, everyone must make their decision after having received exhaustive, fair and understandable information on the various options. “
