Cancer is the abnormal growth and division of cells and can develop almost anywhere in the body. There are different types of cancers including lung cancer, skin cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lymphoma, etc. The symptoms of cancer can vary depending on the type of body part is affected.
Fertility issues with cancer and cancer treatment
Cancer and some of the cancer treatments can affect a woman’s fertility or her ability to carry a child. Different types of treatments cause different problems concerning present and future fertility because of which it is important to consult a fertility expert to know about the risks and if possible preserve fertility before starting treatment of cancer.
Infertility resulting from cancer treatments can range from difficulty to conceive a child or the ability to maintain a pregnancy. The problem can be temporary, lasting for some period or even permanent. Again, it will be different for different kinds of cancer and their treatments.
If you are a cancer patient or a cancer survivor, the fertility depends on the following factors such as:
- The type of cancer
- Type of treatment of cancer such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery
- The age at the time of diagnosis and treatment
- The dose and duration of the treatment
- Associated other health issues
It is important to understand how the treatment can affect your fertility and pregnancy before starting the treatment. You should ask questions regarding the recommended treatments, and its effects on infertility, fertility options for the future, etc. to your fertility expert whenever possible.
How cancer treatments affect your fertility?
Cancer treatments can affect pregnancy in many ways. Some treatments can directly damage the ovaries and reduce the number of available eggs and others can affect other reproductive organs like the uterus. Some can cause variation in the hormone secretion between the brain and ovaries which may lead to infertility.
One of the important factors that impact the effectiveness of these treatments is the age of the patient especially the hormone production and effect on ovaries. Based on the cancer type and age, the treatments vary and so the impacts.
1. Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy includes treatment with drugs like cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, idarubicin (Idamycin), busulfan, carboplatin, cytarabine, vincristine, etc. Some drugs are more potential to lead to infertility than others.
The drug dosage can affect the ovaries and can cause stop releasing eggs and decrease the levels of the hormone estrogen. This condition is called primary ovarian insufficiency (POI).
Sometimes POI is temporary and fertility can be restored. Getting pregnant during or soon after chemotherapy is not advisable and it is best to talk to the doctor in such cases.
2. Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy destroys cancer cells using high energy rays. If the treatment is taken near the abdomen or pelvis, the radiation damages the ovaries and causes infertility. A high dosage of radiation treatment destroys healthy eggs in the ovaries or early menopause.
A high dose of radiation therapy to the brain can also affect brain hormones responsible for egg growth. However, measures like ovarian shielding or Oophoropexy can protect the ovaries from radiation.
3. Surgeries
Surgery near the reproductive system or tissues can affect your fertility. For example, cystectomy in the ovary can damage the eggs, hysterectomy, where the uterus is removed, can affect the capacity to carry the pregnancy. There are chances to cause scarring in the fallopian tubes while surgery.
How to preserve your Fertility?
There are options to preserve fertility for cancer patients. These procedures or treatments may available at the hospital you are taking treatment or in the fertility clinics. Talk with an experienced fertility expert for the best option considering your age and treatment.
One of the most common options is fertility freezing methods including egg freezing and embryo freezing. There are other methods like ovarian shielding, ovarian transposition, etc. available. It is best to meet fertility expert before starting cancer treatment.
