Fertility Preservation For Patients With Cancer

Fertility Preservation Options Prior To Cancer Treatment

Egg Freezing

Tremendous advances in A.R.T. (assisted reproductive technologies) now make egg freezing an excellent fertility preservation option for cancer patients. In 2012, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) took the “experimental” label off of egg freezing for cancerpatients and in May 2013 the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) made counseling on fertility preservation for women of reproductive age part of their “standard of care” and outlined the following in their revised guidelines:

Fertility Preservation In Patients With Cancer: American Society Of Clinical Oncology Guideline Update

“As part of education and informed consent before cancer therapy, health care providers (including medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, gynecologic oncologists, urologists, hematologists, pediatric oncologists, and surgeons) should address the possibility of infertility with patients treated during their reproductive years (or with parents or guardians of children) and be prepared to discuss fertility preservation options and/or to refer all potential patients to appropriate reproductive specialists. Although patients may be focused initially on their cancer diagnosis, the Update Panel encourages providers to advise patients regarding potential threats to fertility as early as possible in the treatment process so as to allow for the widest array of options for fertility preservation. The discussion should be documented. Sperm and embryo cryopreservation as well as oocyte cryopreservation are considered standard practice and are widely available.”

Published online before print May 28, 2013, doi: 10.1200/JCO.2013.49.2678
Alison W. Loren, Pamela B. Mangu, Lindsay Nohr Beck, Lawrence Brennan, Anthony J. Magdalinski, Ann H. Partridge, Gwendolyn Quinn, W. Hamish Wallace and Kutluk Oktay

One of the greatest advances is the speed at which we can get a newly diagnosed cancer patient to cycle and therefore free and clear to undergo surgery, chemo or radiation to fight her cancer.

Green Sappling

We are now able to get the majority of our patients through a cycle in 10 days

This eliminates the concern for any delays in cancer treatment as it often takes that long to set up one’s oncology treatment plan and surgery, if needed. Egg freezing is safe for most cancer patients. Pregnancy rates from frozen eggs are now comparable to that of frozen embryos, and fresh eggs and embryos.

Embryo Banking

For married women, embryo banking is another reasonable option for fertility preservation in addition to egg freezing.

Support Services

We See Our Cancer Patients Within 48 Hours Of Initial Contact

At IRMS we have an approved list of Mental Health Professionals to help you through your journey. Please reach out to your clinical team for their contact information.

Please reach out to our Oncofertility Liaison, Joanne Heller at 609.448.4311 or 973.548.9900 for an immediate appointment.

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ONCO Fertility Checklist

What happens on my Oncofertility Appointment? What will my initial visit consist of? READ MORE ...

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FAQ

How many eggs do I get from an egg freezing cycle? How many eggs do I need per desired child? How long can my eggs stay frozen? READ MORE ...

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Financial Information

IRMS has a long-standing relationship with LIVESTRONG Fertility and as such we give all of our incoming cancer patients an application to the LIVESTRONG discount program. READ MORE ...

Rebecca came to us on the recommendation of her oncologist immediately after learning of her cancer diagnosis.

She has reported to us both a few months after her egg freezing cycle and one year after her cycle that the decision to freeze her eggs was one of the best of her life. She felt that she now had this protection for her own future wants and desires and now could focus on fighting her cancer and living her very full life for today and with a clear eye on tomorrow.
Rebecca - Breast Cancer Patient, Age 36