title: [Effects of radiotherapy (external and/or internal) and chemotherapy on female fertility].
abstract: The impact of chemotherapy on a woman's fertility depends on her age and the types and doses of the drugs used. Alkylating agents have the biggest negative impact on ovarian function. A trial is currently examining the use of a GnRH agonist to protect ovarian function. The impact of external radiation therapy and brachytherapy on the ovaries depends on three factors: the patient's age, the dose delivered to the ovaries, and concurrent use of chemotherapy. Ovarian transposition is a simple surgical procedure that can be used in selected cases to reduce the risk of early menopause. Both external and internal radiation has an impact on the uterus, notably by altering its vascularization and by reducing its growth when treatment is delivered during childhood.
authors.affiliation: Institut Gustave Roussy, 39 rue Camille Desmoulins, 94805 Villejuif, France. philippe.morice@igr.fr
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morice
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Uzan
authors.forename: Sébastien
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gouy
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pautier
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lhomme
authors.forename: Corinne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Balleyguier
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Duvillard
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Haie-Meder
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents