Cancer has an impact on the body in many ways, and it also affects female and male fertility. When cancer patients need kids after the end of treatment, some planning is required, and it includes fertility preservation. With the increasing survival rate of cancer patients, fertility preservation is highly recognized as an issue of great significance. In fertility preservation, the eggs, sperm, and reproductive tissues are saved. Thus, the person can use them later on. Numerous fertility preservation options are available, and experiments continue to be evaluated.
Here in this guide, we explore how to preserve fertility in women with cancer. So, let's discover it.
Treatment Options for Fertility Preservation in Female Cancer Patients
In the health world, numerous technologies will evolve, and certain treatment options that assist people are available. However, fertility preservation brings happiness and relief to the females. Some of the leading treatment options available:
- Embryo Freezing - Embryo freezing is also called embryo cryopreservation. It is the most popular and certified approach for preserving fertility and offers a well-defined success rate. This method is performed with the two actions of the in vitro fertilization process, including oocyte retrieval, fertilization, and ovarian stimulation. Thus, it takes 10 to 14 days from the period cycle to develop a follicular and requires a delay in the initiation of chemotherapy. For embryo creation, the male partner's sperm is needed. One of the main concerns related to this treatment is high serum estrogen concentration during ovarian stimulation in patients with hormone sensitivity like breast cancer.
- Ovarian Tissue Freezing - This process is still investigational. It includes all or other parts of one ovary, which is removed by laparoscopy (minimally invasive surgery in which a small cut near the navel inserts a thin and flexible tube to reach into the pelvis). Usually, the ovarian tissue is cut into small strips, frozen, and stored. After cancer treatment, the ovarian tissue is thawed and placed into the pelvis. The eggs are collected and recognized for fertilization in the lab when they start to perform again.
- Egg (Oocyte) Freezing - Egg freezing is an effective approach that preserves fertility for women, but it is not used as long as embryo freezing. In egg, freezing fertilized eggs are removed from the woman and frozen before fertilizing with sperm. However, this process is also known as egg banking. So, when the woman is trying to conceive, the egg is thawed, fertilized by a partner or donor sperm, and implanted in the uterus to achieve a positive result.
- Ovarian Transportation - It means transferring the ovaries away from the target zone of radiation treatment. It is the most common process for young women and girls who are undergoing pelvic radiation. It either may be used before or after puberty. It is an outpatient operation and doesn't need to stay in the hospital. The doctors will move the ovaries above and on the side of the middle pelvic area. Generally, performing before starting the radiation therapy is best and gets them to their normal position over time.
- Ovarian Transposition- It is a surgical process in which the ovaries are placed outside the radiation field to protect it from irradiation. However, the overall success rate is maintaining the period function, and fertility is similar to about 50% due to scattered radiation and changed body flow. The process success rate relies on the extent of radiation scatter, patient age, vascular damage, radiation dose, and whether or not the ovaries are covered.
Conclusion
Fertility preservation options for women facing cancer treatment offer hope for future parenthood and emotional well-being. While each case is unique and requires individualized planning, a combination of techniques such as egg or embryo freezing, ovarian tissue preservation, and ovarian suppression during chemotherapy can significantly improve the chances of preserving fertility. By empowering women with knowledge about their fertility options and providing access to comprehensive fertility preservation services, healthcare providers Mannat Fertility Clinic helps mitigate the adverse effects of cancer treatment on reproductive health, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for cancer survivors.