Fertility preservation in male patients with cancer.

ABSTRACT

Advances in the treatment of cancer in young patients have led to great improvements in life expectancy, which currently approaches 80% 5-year survival rate. As a result, fertility preservation and desire for paternity have become a significant issue in this group. However, a major concern is the negative impact of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and the malignancy itself on fertility. Thus, men about to have treatment for malignant conditions may have sperm cryopreserved before commencing chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Ejaculated sperm cryopreservation is the most common technique used. Some patients with cancer may present initially with oligospermia or azoospermia. In cases when a sample is not produced due to medical, social, or religious reasons, sperm can be retrieved using penile vibratory stimulation, electroejaculation, or testicular sperm extraction. Fertility preservation in prepubertal boys presents a great challenge, as sperm banking is not possible. Alternative strategies have been developed, but all are currently experimental.