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Consequences of the Disease and Its Treatment Concerning Sexuality and Fertility

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Diagnosis and Management of Testicular Cancer

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Abstract

Consequences of the disease and its treatment lasting longer than 12 months after end of treatment are categorised as late toxicity or late effects. Apart from late toxicity affecting general health by either vascular, neuropathic, nephrotoxic or ototoxic side effects or by inducing second malignancies, fertility and sexuality are negatively affected. Gonadal function is essential for fertility and normal endocrine profile. Both the disease itself and its treatment may impair spermatogenesis and Leydig cell function and thus lead to infertility and hypogonadism. Fertility problems often precede the diagnosis of germ cell cancer. On the other hand, infertility is an accepted risk factor for testicular cancer. Hypogonadism is known to facilitate the development of metabolic syndrome, a main threat to men’s health. Apart from negative effects of hypogonadism on sexual function, cancer treatment may result in disorders of ejaculation, orgasm and erectile function and thus impair sexuality in a significant proportion of men.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Andrology, Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology WHO Collaboration Center, EAA Training Center, University Hospital Münster, Münster, 48149, Germany

    Sabine Kliesch

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  1. Sabine Kliesch
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Correspondence to Sabine Kliesch .

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  1. Kliniken Essen-Mitte, Klinik für Urologie, Essen, Germany

    Susanne Krege

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Kliesch, S. (2015). Consequences of the Disease and Its Treatment Concerning Sexuality and Fertility. In: Krege, S. (eds) Diagnosis and Management of Testicular Cancer. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17467-9_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-17467-9_12

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-17466-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-17467-9

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