Fertility preservation options for children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer depend on the following factors:
- Age (before or after puberty)
- Type of cancer
- Treatment plan
- How soon treatment needs to start
Our oncofertility team carefully considers these details and collaborates with you, your child, and your oncology team to recommend the best option.
Fertility preservation options for males:
Sperm Cryopreservation (sperm freezing or sperm banking) is a way to collect, freeze, and store sperm for future use. This option is only available for those who have gone through puberty.
Testicular Tissue Cryopreservation (TTC) involves a minor surgery to remove and freeze testicular tissue, with the hope of making sperm from it later. This experimental option is only available for those who have gone through puberty.
Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE) is a procedure to collect sperm directly from the testes. TESE is used when sperm banking isn't possible, typically due to low sperm production or a blockage preventing sperm from exiting the body.
Fertility preservation options for females:
Oocyte Cryopreservation (egg freezing) is a two-step process where the ovaries are stimulated with hormone injections for about two weeks, followed by a procedure to harvest and freeze the eggs. This option is available for those who have gone through puberty and can potentially be used for a future pregnancy.
Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation (OTC) involves removing part of or an entire ovary during laparoscopic surgery under anesthesia. It's available for all females, regardless of puberty, but is generally less successful than oocyte cryopreservation (egg freezing).
Ovarian Transposition is a surgical procedure for females undergoing radiation treatment. It involves moving one or both ovaries out of the radiation field to reduce exposure. This option is available for all females, regardless of whether they have gone through puberty.