2000, Number 1
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Rev Med Hosp Gen Mex 2000; 63 (1)
Cancer and fertility
Gerson R
Language: Spanish
References: 43
Page: 30-40
PDF size: 95.39 Kb.
ABSTRACT
In fighting cancer, better results have been obtained in children, adolescents and young adults, but at a price. In the medium and long term, organs and healthy tissue, particularly gonads, can be affected with negative consequences to future fertility. Surgery, radiotherapy and systemic treatments could interfere with the reproductive capability. The magnitude of damage caused by cytotoxics will depend on the agent utilized, dose and age at the time of treatment. In male gonads, chemotherapy schemes deteriorate germinal stem cells, while Leydig cells are rarely affected preserving the androgenic function. Spermatogenesis could be in occasions recovered. With particular tumors, spermatic counts are already low even before initiating treatment. Interruption of ovarian function is registered in older woman and is related to the accumulated dose. The products of pregnancies of cancer survivors have not shown an increase in teratogenesis or mutagenesis. Pregnancy after breast cancer does not correlate with adverse effect on survival. Young women and young men that must undergo cancer treatment, should be alerted with regard to fertility and receive counseling and support for a healthy future life. From its onset, therapeutic plans should consider gonad protection, germinal cell preservation, and include the possibility of assisted fertility consultation.
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