What is new in 2017? Update on fertility preservation in cancer patients.

ABSTRACT

The prevention of fertility loss due to cancer treatment as well as non-malignant causes has been gaining importance over the last few decades. Clinically applied modalities for fertility preservation in cancer patients include cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos, the application of GnRH agonists, ovarian tissue banking, and cryopreservation of ejaculated or surgically extracted sperm. In addition, several new possibilities to restore fertility are currently being investigated, such as the establishment of in-vitro culture systems for gonadal tissue, the development of artificial gonads, and the application of germline stem cells. This review aims to provide an update on the methods currently applied in clinical practice for fertility preservation, as well as to summarize the progress made in the development of novel strategies for fertility preservation.