The use of fertility preservation services for cancer patients: a single institution experience

• Main Authors: Kelly McCarter, M.D (Author), Joshua Stewart, M.D (Author), Sushmita Gordhandas, M.D (Author), Ashley Aluko, M.D (Author), Nirali Shah, M.D (Author), Glenn Schattman, M.D (Author), Zev Rosenwaks, M.D (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Elsevier, 2022-12-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Objective: To analyze the use of services regarding fertility preservation (FP) in cancer patients at a single institution. Design: A retrospective cohort study. Setting: Academic medical center. Patient(s): A total of 208 FP referrals. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Method of FP; time from referral to FP intervention. Result(s): A total of 553 patients were referred to a reproductive specialist for FP in the setting of a medical diagnosis from 2011 to 2016. Of these, 208 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria and met with a reproductive specialist. Ninety patients underwent FP services. The average age at referral was 30.9 ± 7.9 years. Breast cancer (n=94, 45%) and leukemia/lymphoma (n=62, 30%) were the most prevalent cancer diagnoses. A 68.9% of patients underwent oocyte cryopreservation (n=62), 26.7% underwent embryo cryopreservation (n=24) and 4.4% underwent ovarian tissue preservation (n=4). The time interval from the referral to the FP intervention ranged from 1 to 810 days, with a median of 17 days. Conclusion(s): In the setting of a cancer diagnosis, most patients undergoing FP intervention underwent oocyte cryopreservation, were <35 years old, and underwent FP intervention in <30 days from referral. Whereas FP should ideally be initiated at the time of cancer diagnosis, all patients with a cancer diagnosis should be referred to a reproductive specialist and counseled on options for FP to preserve the optionality for the reproductive future they desire.

Item Description

2666-3341
10.1016/j.xfre.2022.08.001