The provision of a semen cryopreservation service for male cancer sufferers in the Republic of Ireland.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery for cancer all carry risks of sterility. Semen cryopreservation would allow procreational ability to be preserved. METHODS: A human-assisted reproduction unit was set up in the Rotunda Hospital where semen was cryopreserved and stored for use. RESULTS: Semen was frozen for procreational potential during 1998 from 58 males about to have oncology therapy likely to render them sterile. The planning for this service and the modus operandi now in place are described. While cryopreservation was not unsuccessful in any case, substandard samples were obtained from 14 men. Pre-freeze viral tests tested positive for CMV in six patients. One pregnancy is already on-going utilising IVF with thawed semen. One patient's death has been notified and the frozen semen disposed of. CONCLUSION: The service is, at present, outside public purse provision. It is hoped that in the near future this will change, as the deficit between charges and costs cannot be sustained in-house forever.