Oocyte cryopreservation: a feasible fertility preservation option for reproductive age cancer survivors.
OBJECTIVE
To compare oocyte cryopreservation cycles performed in cancer patients to those of infertile women.


METHODS
Cancer patients referred for fertility preservation underwent counseling in compliance with the ASRM; those electing oocyte cryopreservation were included. Ovarian stimulation was achieved with injectable gonadotropins and freezing was performed using slow-cooling and vitrification methods.


RESULTS
Fifty cancer patients (mean age 31 y) underwent oocyte cryopreservation; adequate ovarian stimulation was achieved in 10 ± 0.3 days. The outcome from these cycles included a mean peak estradiol of 2,376 pg/ml and an average of 19 oocytes retrieved (15 mature oocytes were cryopreserved/cycle). All patients tolerated ovarian hyperstimulation. There were no significant differences noted between cryopreservation cycles performed in cancer patients and in women without malignancy.


CONCLUSIONS
Oocyte cryopreservation appears to be a feasible fertility preservation method for reproductive-age women diagnosed with cancer. This modality is not only effective but also, providing a multidiscipline effort, can be completed in timely fashion.
Noyes
Nicole
N
NYU Fertility Center, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA. nnoyes01@gmail.com
Labella
Patty Ann
PA
Grifo
James
J
Knopman
Jaime M
JM
D000367:Age Factors; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000517:prevention & control; D009369:Neoplasms; D009865:Oocytes; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D017741:Survivors