Written By: Prerna Mittra | Published : March 8, 2025 2:44 PM IST
Medically Verified By: Dr Aishwarya Nupur, director, Eraya Fertility, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad
Methods like egg freezing, embryo freezing, in-vitro maturation (IVM) are possible solutions of preserving fertility for women undergoing cancer treatment. (Photo: Pixabay)
Everything to know about oncofertility: Oncofertility combines the dual disciplines of 'oncology' and 'reproductive endocrinology' to enhance the fertility prospects of individuals with cancer and also for those who have overcome it. It brings together experts from both fields and leverages their knowledge to address the fertility challenges faced by young cancer patients at risk of losing reproductive function. Cancer and its treatment can hamper the reproductive capabilities of survivors, and innovations in fertility preservation are creating new opportunities for individuals facing reproductive issues, doctors say. Read on to know more about it.
According to Dr Aishwarya Nupur, director, Eraya Fertility, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, in oncofertility, the duty of introducing fertility preservation is taken up by the oncology team, while the fertility specialists carry out the actual procedures to safeguard fertility.
"Cancers of the reproductive systems or the neuroendocrine system (including brain tumors or metastatic growths) can lead to infertility by causing direct damage to these organs. At the time of diagnosis, a patient's fertility potential may already be diminished due to overall health degradation brought on by the body's battle against the disease. After diagnosis, oncologists might opt for a variety of treatment options depending on the prognosis; the most common forms of treatment like chemotherapy and radiation therapy carry significant risks," the doctor warns.
Dr Aishwarya explains that high-dose chemotherapy, particularly when combined with 'hematopoietic stem cell transplantation', frequently results in severe and typically irreversible infertility. Radiation therapy administered to the abdominal and pelvic region, especially in females, poses a high infertility risk, too. Additionally, surgeries involving the reproductive organs or the neuroendocrine system can impair fertility.
"Often, oncofertility is sought to help preserve the fertility of cancer patients before they undergo treatment. The choice of fertility preservation (FP) techniques varies based on the patient's age, type of cancer, and the timeframe available before starting cancer treatment. It offers patients a say in their reproductive future."
Methods like egg freezing, embryo freezing, in-vitro maturation (IVM) are possible solutions of preserving fertility for women undergoing cancer treatment. They involve harvesting of the female egg and cryofreezing it for future use.
"Ovarian tissue cryopreservation can also be offered in indicated cases. The ovaries can also be surgically repositioned outside the pelvic area to avoid radiation damage. Similarly, in men, methods like sperm freezing and testicular sperm aspiration or extraction are known methods that help in retrieving sperm and freezing it for future use. Additionally, in both men and women, ovarian or testicular tissue can be removed and frozen for later transplantation to potentially produce eggs or sperm -- this method is known as 'tissue banking'," the doctor explains.
The doctor concludes on a hopeful note, saying that oncofertility has now grown into a 'fully established' discipline, which has helped patients realise that cancer does not have to be the end of their dreams of having children one day. "Advances in stimulation protocols, lab techniques, and cryopreservation have played a pivotal role in its success. The ongoing goal for researchers is to discover methods that not only preserve fertility, but also maintain normal reproductive hormone levels for patients. It has become the bridge that connects the battle against cancer with the possibility of future dreams, offering those facing cancer a chance to preserve not just their health, but their ability to create life."
