Sperm cryopreservation before testicular cancer treatment and its subsequent utilization for the treatment of infertility

ScientificWorldJournal. 2014 Jan 22:2014:575978. doi: 10.1155/2014/575978. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

Aims: In this study we report our results with storage of cryopreserved semen intended for preservation and subsequent infertility treatment in men with testicular cancer during the last 18 years.

Methods: Cryopreserved semen of 523 men with testicular cancer was collected between October 1995 and the end of December 2012. Semen of 34 men (6.5%) was used for fertilization of their partners. They underwent 57 treatment cycles with cryopreserved, fresh, and/or donor sperm.

Results: A total of 557 men have decided to freeze their semen before cancer treatment. Azoospermia was diagnosed in 34 men (6.1%), and semen was cryopreserved in 532 patients. Seminoma was diagnosed in 283 men (54.1%) and nonseminomatous germ cell tumors in 240 men (45.9%). 34 patients who returned for infertility treatment underwent 46 treatment cycles with cryopreserved sperm. Totally 16 pregnancies were achieved, that is, 34.8% pregnancy rate.

Conclusion: The testicular cancer survivors have a good chance of fathering a child by using sperm cryopreserved prior to the oncology treatment, even when it contains only limited number of spermatozoa.

Publication types

  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cryopreservation / methods*
  • Female
  • Fertilization in Vitro / methods*
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Male / etiology
  • Infertility, Male / rehabilitation
  • Infertility, Male / therapy*
  • Male
  • Seminoma / complications
  • Seminoma / rehabilitation*
  • Spermatozoa / physiology*
  • Testicular Neoplasms / complications
  • Testicular Neoplasms / rehabilitation*