[Gonadal function after treatment for a childhood or adolescent cancer]

Abstract

Due to high cure rate in childhood and adolescent cancer, fertility preservation is a major concern. Chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery may alter gonadal function, and uterine cavity in women. In women, combined toxicity affecting both endocrine function and ovulation are observed leading to premature ovarian insufficiency. In men, spermatogenesis is frequently affected whereas endocrine function is almost always preserved. The current article focuses on investigations concerning gonadal function after treatment for a cancer during childhood or adolescence and treatment of subsequent infertility or hypogonadism. Nevertheless, those therapeutic are still limited and pretherapeutic preservation of fertility is preferred when possible.

Keywords: Cancer; Fertility; Fertilité; Insuffisance ovarienne; Ovarian failure; Spermatogenesis; Spermatogenèse; Traitement; Treatment.