Do doctors discuss fertility issues before they treat young patients with cancer?
Affiliation
Division of Developmental and Reproductive Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.Issue Date
2008-10
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
BACKGROUND: Many children treated for cancer are at risk of infertility, but for girls and prepubertal boys, all fertility preservation techniques remain experimental. We have assessed UK practice relating to information provision about the effects of cancer treatment on fertility and options for fertility preservation. METHODS: Paediatric oncologists prospectively completed a data form for each new patient registered over a 12 month period. RESULTS: Data were available on 1030 patients (68% of total registered). The effect of cancer treatment on fertility was discussed with 63% of patients. Of these, 61% were judged to be at high or medium risk of fertility problems. Discussions took place more commonly with boys than girls; the commonest reason for discussion not occurring was young age. The majority (83%) of post-pubertal boys assessed as high/medium risk of infertility were referred for semen cryopreservation. This rate fell to 39% of those in early puberty. Only 1% (n=4) of girls were referred to an assisted conception unit. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate a high awareness of the potential adverse effects of therapy on fertility among UK paediatric oncologists. High referral rates for older boys indicate that current guidelines are followed, but there is a need for fertility preservation techniques for girls and younger boys.Citation
Do doctors discuss fertility issues before they treat young patients with cancer? 2008, 23 (10):2246-51 Hum. Reprod.Journal
Human ReproductionDOI
10.1093/humrep/den252PubMed ID
18614615Type
ArticleLanguage
enISSN
1460-2350ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1093/humrep/den252