Fertility Preservation in Breast Cancer

South Med J. 2017 Oct;110(10):621-626. doi: 10.14423/SMJ.0000000000000704.

Abstract

As more young women survive breast cancer, fertility preservation (FP) is an important component of care. This review highlights the importance of early pretreatment referral, reviews the risks of infertility associated with breast cancer treatment, and defines existing and emerging techniques for FP. The techniques reviewed include ovarian suppression, embryo cryopreservation, oocyte cryopreservation, and ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation. The barriers women face, such as not being appropriately referred and the costs of treatment, also are addressed. Multidisciplinary, patient-centered care is essential to discussing FP with patients with breast cancer and ensuring appropriate care that includes quality of life in survivorship.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Cryopreservation / economics
  • Cryopreservation / methods
  • Female
  • Fertility Preservation / economics
  • Fertility Preservation / methods*
  • Fertilization in Vitro / economics
  • Fertilization in Vitro / methods
  • Health Care Costs
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Female / chemically induced*
  • Infertility, Female / prevention & control
  • Infertility, Female / therapy
  • Oocyte Retrieval / economics
  • Oocyte Retrieval / methods
  • Ovarian Reserve
  • Ovary / transplantation*
  • Ovulation Inhibition
  • Patient-Centered Care
  • Quality of Life
  • Referral and Consultation*
  • Survival Rate
  • Transplantation, Autologous

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents