Cancer diagnosis is a life-changing experience, causing a range of physical and emotional disturbances along with multiple types of treatment, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Women undergoing cancer treatment may face fertility-related complications due to the toxicity of cancer treatment. Therefore, fertility preservation options are crucial for women with cancer who wish to maintain their fertility potential.

The Impact of Cancer Treatment on Fertility

Cancer treatment can affect a woman’s fertility potential in different ways, depending on the type of cancer and the treatment required. Significant reasons for female infertility following cancer treatment include:.

Damage to the eggs or ovaries
Damage to the uterus, cervix, or fallopian tubes
Reduced hormonal production
Early menopause

Cancer Treatments that Put Fertility at Risk

The following cancer treatments can have impacts on fertility.:.

Chemotherapy
Radiation therapy
Surgery (removal of the ovaries, uterus, cervix, and other reproductive organs)
Bone marrow transplant

Fertility Preservation Options for Women with Cancer

The following are the most common fertility preservation methods for women undergoing cancer treatment:.

Oocyte cryopreservation or egg freezing
Embryo cryopreservation or freezing
Ovarian tissue freezing or cryopreservation
Medical treatments

Factors to Consider Before Fertility Preservation

Before undergoing any fertility preservation technique, certain factors must be considered, such as:.

The type and stage of cancer treatment required
The patient’s age and overall medical history
The risks and benefits associated with each preservation option
The patient’s individual fertility potential

Oocyte Cryopreservation or Egg Freezing

Oocyte cryopreservation, also known as egg freezing, is the most common procedure for fertility preservation for women with cancer.

It’s one of the most successful techniques for preserving fertility potential, as it offers several benefits, such as higher success rates, quicker processes, and reduced costs.

Doctors extract eggs from the ovaries after stimulation using hormones, then freeze them until needed.

After the end of cancer treatment, the eggs are reimplanted into the woman’s uterus, where they are naturally fertilized and carried out for a successful pregnancy.

Embryo Freezing or Cryopreservation

Embryo freezing involves the fertilization of eggs with sperm, which forms an embryo. The embryo is then frozen and stored for future use.

The procedure is similar to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and can potentially lead to higher success rates than egg freezing.

However, in this process, women must have a partner or obtain sperm from a sperm bank. This method may not be suitable for women who do not have a partner or do not wish to have one.

Ovarian Tissue Freezing or Cryopreservation

Ovarian tissue freezing involves removing and freezing a part of the woman’s ovaries. Before cancer treatment begins, a surgeon can remove a small piece of ovarian tissue that contains the woman’s immature eggs.

The sample is frozen and reimplanted after the end of cancer treatment.

This method is new and experimental compared to egg freezing, it has lower fertility success rates.

Medical Treatments

Medical treatments such as gonadotropin-releasing hormone agents (GnRH), antioxidants, and other medications may be used to temporarily shut down the ovaries and protect them from toxic cancer treatments.

GnRH can help to block the pituitary gland from signaling the ovaries, resulting in the temporary shutdown of the ovaries. This can help to preserve the eggs but does not guarantee fertility.

Support of Family and Friends

A cancer diagnosis is a challenging moment in a woman’s life. Women with cancer who wish to preserve their fertility will appreciate the support of their family and friends.

Women can consult with their spouses, spouses-to-be, and family members who provide the much-needed confidence and support through all cancer treatments and fertility preservation processes.

Conclusion

Women with cancer in their child-bearing age, wishing to maintain their fertility potential can choose from various fertility preservation methods that suit their fertility goals and medical conditions.

With the right medical support, it’s entirely possible to have a successful pregnancy after cancer treatment and enjoy motherhood.