Fertility Preservation for People Diagnosed with Cancer

Fertility Preservation Options

UH Fertility Center uses the latest techniques in fertility preservation for men and women with cancer. Our patients also have access to clinical trials offering innovative procedures that may not be available at other centers. Your care team will recommend timing of fertility preservation based on your individual circumstances.

Options for Ovaries, Eggs and Embryos

Fertility preservation options available for women include:

• Egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation): Hormones are administered to help the ovaries mature multiple eggs. The eggs are harvested and frozen for future use.
• In vitro fertilization (IVF) with embryo freezing: Patients can choose to undergo in vitro fertilization using their harvested eggs and the sperm of a partner or donor and freeze the embryos for later use.
• Ovarian tissue cryopreservation: With this innovative procedure, an ovary is surgically removed and frozen. If or when the patient is ready to have children, the ovary is placed back into the body. Alternatively, the eggs from the ovary can be matured and later fertilized for pregnancy (a procedure called in vitro maturation), although this is currently an experimental procedure.
• Ovarian transposition: This surgical procedure moves one or both ovaries to help prevent damage to ovarian tissue during radiation therapy treatment. This allows patients to maintain hormone function and preserve their fertility. Women who undergo this procedure will have the option to use their own eggs for IVF if they wish to have children in the future.
• Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists: This technique uses hormones to suppress the function of the ovaries before chemotherapy. This can help protect the ovaries from chemo-related side effects or damage.

Options for Sperm

• Sperm banking (sperm cryopreservation): This is a simple and inexpensive treatment that allows a cancer patient to collect and freeze their sperm for later use. This procedure does not delay treatment to any significant degree and is effective even with a low sperm count.
• Testicular sperm extraction (TESE): This technique uses a surgical procedure to extract sperm from the testes, which can be preserved for future use.

Fertility preservation for men is facilitated by University Hospitals Urology Institute. Learn more or make an appointment with a UH urologist.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze eggs or sperm after a cancer diagnosis even if I don’t know my treatment plan yet?

Yes, we recommend that you pursue fertility preservation options such as egg or sperm freezing soon after your cancer diagnosis. Most fertility preservation procedures take place before cancer treatment begins and can be performed even if you do not know your specific treatment protocol or timeline. In most cases, it is preferred to start fertility preservation process as soon as possible so that cancer treatment can begin sooner.

How long can eggs/sperm remain frozen safely?

Frozen eggs and sperm can remain frozen indefinitely if they are stored under the proper conditions. Quality will not be affected and can be used successfully years or decades after being frozen.

Are there any fertility preservation options that don't require hormones or surgery?

For men, sperm freezing is an easy, non-surgical way to preserve fertility. In certain cases for both men and women, radiation shielding can be used during radiation treatment to help protect the ovaries or testicles from damage. Some proactive lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, reducing stress and minimizing exposure to environmental toxins, can help optimize existing fertility after cancer treatment. Speak with a fertility specialist and your cancer care team for more information about the options available for your unique circumstances.

Can I start cancer treatment immediately after fertility preservation or is there a waiting period?

This will depend on your fertility treatment, cancer diagnosis and treatment plan. In general, it’s best to start cancer therapy as soon as possible following fertility preservation. If fertility preservation involves surgery, your provider may recommend a recovery period before starting cancer treatment. Your oncology providers and fertility specialist will work together to determine the best approach and timing for your fertility preservation and cancer treatment.

What happens to frozen eggs or sperm if I don't survive cancer or choose not to use?

Usually, patients will sign a form during the fertility preservation process indicating what they would like to do with their egg or sperm if they do not survive or do not utilize the tissue. Options include discarding or donating the samples or passing ownership to a surviving partner or family member. In the case of frozen embryos made with a partner’s sperm or eggs, ownership will usually remain with the surviving partner unless otherwise stated.