Accessibility Tools

Fertility Preservation Techniques for Cancer Patients

Fertility Preservation Techniques for Cancer Patients

Fertility Preservation Techniques for Cancer Patients

Advances in medicine have made it possible for most cancer patients to look forward to a full recovery. However, in the rush to begin life-saving treatments, patients may be unaware that these treatments can impact their fertility. It’s essential to understand how cancer therapies might affect your ability to have children in the future and to explore fertility preservation techniques that can help you start or expand your family after recovery.

How Cancer Treatment Can Impact Your Fertility

Cancer treatment impacts fertility because many treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, target rapidly dividing cells to destroy cancer. Unfortunately, these treatments can also harm healthy cells, including those in the reproductive system. For example, chemotherapy can damage eggs or sperm, radiation can harm the ovaries or testes, and surgery might involve removing reproductive organs, all of which can affect fertility.

Fertility Preservation: Your Path to Parenthood After Cancer

Embryo Preservation

Embryo cryopreservation is the most advanced and proven method for fertility preservation, offering the highest success rates among available strategies.1 During this process, eggs are retrieved, fertilized with sperm, and the resulting embryos are frozen for future use. This method offers a high success rate, making it a strong option for those who may want to conceive after cancer treatment.

Freezing Eggs

For patients who do not have a partner or prefer not to use donor sperm, freezing eggs is another effective fertility preservation technique. Eggs are retrieved and frozen unfertilized, allowing for future fertilization when you're ready to start a family. This method is particularly beneficial for women who may face treatment that impacts ovarian function.

Sperm Freezing

Sperm freezing, or sperm banking, is a straightforward and effective method for preserving male fertility. Before starting cancer treatment, sperm is collected and frozen, ensuring that you have the option to father children in the future. This technique is often recommended for men undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery that could affect sperm production.

Egg Donation

For women whose cancer treatment may severely impact ovarian function, egg donation is a viable option. This technique involves using eggs from a donor to achieve pregnancy, either through IVF or other assisted reproductive technologies. Egg donation can be a powerful way to build a family after cancer treatment when other options are not feasible.

Navigating cancer treatment is challenging, but with the right information and support, fertility preservation is possible. Book an appointment with Dr. Anil Pinto to explore these options and find the best solution for your needs.

AUTHOR: Dr. Anil Pinto is board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and the subspecialty of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Dr. Pinto has a special interest in the treatment of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), recurrent pregnancy loss, and advanced reproductive technologies, such as IVF. Dr. Pinto practices at ReproMed Fertility Center, which includes four convenient locations across Dallas and Tyler, Texas.

Reference:

1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3012633

  • Mckinney

    McKinney
    6850 TPC Drive , Suite 105
    Unit B
    McKinney, TX 75070

    McKinney

    6850 TPC Drive , Suite 105
    Unit B
    McKinney, TX 75070

  • Rockwall

    Rockwall
    935 West Ralph Hall Pkwy
    Suite 103
    Rockwall, TX 75032

    Rockwall

    935 West Ralph Hall Pkwy
    Suite 103
    Rockwall, TX 75032

  • Dallas

    Dallas
    3800 San Jacinto
    Suite 123
    Dallas, TX 75204

    Dallas

    3800 San Jacinto
    Dallas, TX 75204

  • Tyler

    Tyler
    7925 S. Broadway Ave
    Suite 210
    Tyler, TX 75703

    Tyler

    7925 S. Broadway Ave
    Suite 210
    Tyler, TX 75703