Fertility preservation in female patients


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Sonmezer M., Oktay K.

HUMAN REPRODUCTION UPDATE, vol.10, no.3, pp.251-266, 2004 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Publication Type: Article / Review
  • Volume: 10 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2004
  • Doi Number: 10.1093/humupd/dmh021
  • Journal Name: HUMAN REPRODUCTION UPDATE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.251-266
  • Keywords: chemotherapy, fertility preservation, ovarian failure, radiotherapy, BONE-MARROW-TRANSPLANTATION, LONG-TERM SURVIVORS, IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION, TOTAL-BODY IRRADIATION, INTRACYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION, FOLLICLE-STIMULATING-HORMONE, OVARIAN CORTICAL STRIPS, HUMAN OOCYTE CRYOPRESERVATION, SYSTEMIC-LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS, ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC-LEUKEMIA
  • Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection
  • Ankara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In the USA alone, >650000 women will be afflicted by cancer in 2003, and 8% of these cases will be aged <40 years. Due to improvements in cancer therapy, cure rates of both adult and childhood cancers increased significantly over the past three decades. However, long-term consequences of cancer therapy and impact on quality of life are now being recognized. One of the major sequelae of cytotoxic chemotherapy is gonadal failure. Cytotoxic chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy are not only used to treat malignant diseases, but also non-malignant systemic conditions. Upon reviewing the extent and mechanism of gonadal damage due to chemo-/radiotherapy, this article discusses indications and the wide range of methods of fertility preservation in a comprehensive manner. All current, emerging, experimental as well as controversial approaches are reviewed. A comprehensive algorithm to manage fertility preservation through an individualized approach is presented.