Cancer and Fertility

What is Fertility?

Generally, fertility refers to the ability of a living organism to reproduce, that is, to conceive new life, and the fertile life is defined as the period during which a woman is able to procreate.

The monthly probability of conceiving a child is approximately 30%, but it decreases to 20% after 35 years and to 10% after 40 years. Fertility decreases with age, with the effects being more pronounced in women than in men. In men, seminal fluid characteristics decrease significantly after 35 years, but fertility remains virtually unchanged until about 50 years. In women, fertility is strongly reduced after 40 years, as the number of oocytes decreases with age and they become of poor quality. This increases the rate of miscarriages and the possibility that children are born with chromosomal abnormalities (e.g., Down syndrome).

Female Fertility and Cancer

Which cancers can affect fertility in women?

The most frequent cancers in women aged 20 to 40, i.e., in the middle of their fertile life, are breast, thyroid, cervical and ovarian cancers, followed by sarcomas, lymphomas and leukemias.

Today, more and more women are faced with the problem of possible infertility, both because cases of illness during fertile life are increasing and because the age of first pregnancy is increasingly advanced.

Motherhood after cancer

Becoming a mother requires a lot of energy on a personal level, while imposing adjustments in the relationship with her partner and her family of origin. For women today, motherhood is the result of careful planning and is no longer a natural step in their personal and family development. It is often postponed in order to devote themselves to studies or careers, or simply to enjoy a more free relationship. When an illness such as cancer occurs that directly or indirectly compromises fertility, the situation becomes more complex. Although the desire for motherhood is experienced by each woman differently, concerns about the possibility of not being able to have a child are accompanied by fears for her own health and that of the child.

The best way to dispel doubts and fears is to share with the treating oncologist and the gynecologist, possibly an expert in managing fertility problems in cancer patients, the desire to have a child after recovery in order to receive correct and complete information to make informed, safe and effective choices.

FREE QUOTE

Would you like more information?

Male Fertility and Cancer Therapy

Why is it important to think about your fertility when you have cancer?

Male fertility can be impaired by certain cancer treatments. Even before the start of anticancer treatments, some cancers, such as testicular cancer and Hodgkin's lymphoma, can reduce sperm count. Many men with cancer want to have children in the future. Some men do not know that there are options to preserve their fertility and that the best time to do so is before cancer treatments.

After diagnosis of cancer and as soon as possible, ask your doctor about available fertility preservation techniques. It is sometimes possible to choose a less aggressive treatment plan for reproductive function.

How can cancer treatments affect future fertility?

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as well as certain surgical interventions, can lead to fertility problems even after cancer remission. Infertility can occur quickly or after a few months and can last for months, years or be permanent.

Chemotherapy can reduce or stop sperm production, affecting your chances of having a child. In addition, hormone therapy for prostate cancer often also affects sperm production.

Radiotherapy can decrease sperm production when treatment involves the whole body, the testicles or certain areas, such as the pelvis (near the testicles), the pituitary gland (hormone-producing gland located at the base of the brain) and the brain. The brain works together with the pituitary gland to signal the testicles to produce sperm and testosterone, the main sex hormone.

Surgical removal of both testicles permanently stops sperm production. Removal of one testicle for the treatment of testicular cancer can decrease the amount of sperm produced. Despite this, men with testicular cancer may be able to have a child, unless the remaining testicle does not produce sperm.

Surgery on the prostate, bladder, large intestine, spine or rectum can damage nerves and make a man unable to ejaculate. Sometimes, this type of operation causes sperm to pass into the bladder. This problem is called retrograde ejaculation.

What is the probability of becoming sterile with cancer?

Not all men become sterile after cancer treatment. The impact of anticancer treatments on fertility depends on several factors, including:

• Type and dose (quantity) of chemotherapy;
• Dose and site of radiotherapy;
• Site of surgery;
• Age (the risk of infertility increases with age);
• Reproductive function before anticancer treatments;

Some anticancer drugs have a higher risk of infertility than others. If you plan to undergo chemotherapy, ask your doctor (oncologist) which drugs are least likely to affect your fertility.

How to preserve fertility?

Strategies available to preserve fertility before cancer treatment include:

• Embryo freezing;
• Oocyte freezing;
• Ovarian tissue freezing;
• Fertility preservation surgery;

The choice depends on several factors: the type of tumor, the type of chemotherapy and the time available before starting it, the patient's age and the presence or absence of a partner. This is why it is advisable to always contact specialized centers.

[dt_sc_button title="Free Quote" size="medium" style="bordered" icon_type="" link="url:https://127.0.0.1/tds/devis/" textcolor="#ffffff" bgcolor="#0c73ba"]