Freeze that Sperm

[摘要] One of the side effects of cancer therapy—be it radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and/or surgery—is a potential detrimental hit to the reproductive system. This could be devastating psychologically to couples in which the male partner has been treated for an oncological disease. The gonads themselves are very susceptible to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and some surgical procedures destroy or disable the function of the male ductal system, which might result in a lack of seminal emission and/or a ductal obstruction. It is well recognized that the cancer itself might have an impact on the reproductive system, and infertility sometimes might be the presenting complaint of someone with an oncological disease, depending on the tissue affected and the severity of the disease. Thus, when the aforementioned oncological treatments are given to these patients, their fertility status is further compromised. These gonadotoxic effects can be either temporary or permanent. If the former, it can sometimes take 1 to 2 years after the completion of treatment for spermatogenesis to recover. In a number of patients, again depending on the type and duration of therapy, azoospermia might be permanent. As such, it seems prudent that any man who is a potential future father be evaluated with a semen analysis if (1) he is diagnosed with a cancer, and (2) he is to undergo some form of therapy for this tumor.

[学科分类] 基础医学