Experiences in fertility preservation: lessons learned to ensure that fertility and reproductive autonomy remain options for cancer survivors.
OBJECTIVE
Assess fertility preservation (FP) measures chosen by patients newly diagnosed with malignancy and their outcomes.


METHODS
Reproductive-age patients referred for FP underwent counseling and elected cryopreservation vs. no treatment. Outcome measures included ovarian stimulation, FP choice, oocytes/zygotes retrieved/cryopreserved and pregnancy outcome.


RESULTS
From 2005 to 2012, 136 patients were counseled with 124 electing treatment: 83 oocyte-only, 21 oocyte + zygote and 20 zygote-only cryopreservation. Age, partnership and financial status factored into FP choice. Treatment was completed in 12 ± 2 days with 14 ± 11 metaphase-II oocytes harvested and cryopreserved/cycle. Eight patients returned to attempt pregnancy; three succeeded.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data demonstrate that oocyte and/or zygote banking are feasible FP options for women with malignancy; given the choice, the majority elected oocyte cryopreservation, highlighting desire for reproductive autonomy. Continued growth and research, combined with interdisciplinary communication, will ensure that appropriate candidates are offered FP and the potential for future parenthood, an important quality-of-life marker for survivors.
Fertility Center at NYU Langone Medical Center, NYU School of Medicine, 660 First Avenue, Fifth Floor, New York, NY, 10016, USA, nnoyes01@gmail.com.
Nicole
N
Noyes
Katherine
K
Melzer
Sarah
S
Druckenmiller
M Elizabeth
ME
Fino
Meghan
M
Smith
Jaime M
JM
Knopman
D000328:Adult; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005260:Female; D059247:Fertility Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000473:pathology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D009865:Oocytes; D010053:Ovary / Q000473:pathology; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D060728:Reproductive Health; D017741:Survivors; D015053:Zygote