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Treatment outcomes and quality-of-life assessment in a university-based fertility preservation program: Results of a registry of female cancer patients at 2 years

  • Fertility Preservation
  • Published:
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To explore patient goals and quality of life (QOL) via a prospective registry and compare fertility preservation (FP) outcomes before, during, and after cancer therapy.

Methods

Of 35 patients entering the registry from 3/2008 to 3/2010, 29/35 completed the study survey and agreed to follow-up, and 31/35 completed treatment. Survey results and FP outcomes were analyzed.

Results

Most patients rated the impact of cancer treatment on fertility of highest importance at baseline and 1-year follow-up. QOL scores were overall positive at both intervals. Patients naïve to any cancer treatment (n = 12) had more gametes frozen than patients with prior cancer treatment (n = 19) with no difference in age or gonadotropin dosage. For patients awaiting cancer treatment, the median time from consultation to oocyte retrieval was 25 days. Cancer treatment sequalae posed challenges to optimal FP outcomes.

Conclusions

Fertility preservation remains a significant issue for cancer patients. With early reproductive endocrinologist referral, cancer treatment delay is minimized and FP outcomes are optimized.

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Disclosure

All authors have nothing to disclose.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. New York University Fertility Center, New York University School of Medicine, 660 First Avenue, Fifth Floor, New York, NY, 10016, USA

    Andrea E. Reh, Lucy Lu, James Grifo, Lewis Krey & Nicole Noyes

  2. Department of OB/GYN, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA

    Rachel Weinerman

Authors
  1. Andrea E. Reh
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  2. Lucy Lu
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  3. Rachel Weinerman
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  4. James Grifo
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  5. Lewis Krey
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  6. Nicole Noyes
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nicole Noyes.

Additional information

Capsule Fertility preservation remains a significant issue for cancer patients. With early reproductive endocrinologist referral, cancer treatment delay is minimized and FP outcomes are optimized.

Presented in part at the American Society of Reproductive Medicine 65th Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA, October 2009.

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Reh, A.E., Lu, L., Weinerman, R. et al. Treatment outcomes and quality-of-life assessment in a university-based fertility preservation program: Results of a registry of female cancer patients at 2 years. J Assist Reprod Genet 28, 635–641 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-011-9559-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-011-9559-z

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