title: Fertility preservation in young female lymphoma patients: review of available options and initial experiences with their implementation in clinical routine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  High cure rates in women suffering from Hodgkin's disease or aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma are often achieved at the cost of impaired ovarian function or infertility. Different strategies can be offered to protect fertility. Early experiences with the implementation of a specialised fertility preservation clinic are analysed with the aim to assess the need for and acceptance of the clinic, as well as the delay of treatment caused by the different approaches. Available options are reviewed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data on underlying malignancy and fertility preservation measures in women of childbearing age treated for aggressive lymphoma and Hodgkin's disease with curative intent between November 2006 and January 2010 were retrospectively analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 111 female lymphoma patients, 30 were eligible for counselling. Nineteen accepted the offer. The main reason for declining was completed family planning. Eight further patients were referred from elsewhere. Of the counselled patients, 96% decided to pursue at least 1 protective strategy, 39% chose an invasive procedure (cryopreservation of ovarian tissue or oocyte aspiration following hormonal stimulation). These procedures deferred the start of systemic treatment within the expected range, no undue delays were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Female lymphoma patients have a large demand for counselling about measures to protect fertility. In a proper setting, counselling and intervention can be offered without undue delays menacing the chance for cure.
authors.affiliation: University Women's Hospital, University Hospital Tuebingen, Calwerstrasse 7, Tuebingen, Germany. barbara.lawrenz@med.uni-tuebingen.de
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lawrenz
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fehm
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Neunhoeffer
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Krämer
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soekler
authors.forename: Lothar
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kanz
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Henes
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mayer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects*; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone