Secondary Infertility and Cancer Survivors

Cancer Treatments Can Cause Secondary Infertility

Secondary infertility is the inability to successfully conceive a second child after previously giving birth. Having cancer can make secondary infertility a concern for many women since radiation, chemotherapy, and drug treatments may affect a woman’s reproductive system.

Men who have cancer may also experience male fertility problems after the treatment has concluded. Quality of sperm or sperm count may decrease or cease to exist.

The ability to treat secondary infertility in cancer survivors depends upon several factors, such as:

• Age of mother
• Health issues with mother (and father)
• Type of cancer
• Kind of treatments used
• Existence of fertility issues before cancer treatments

While it is possible to achieve a second pregnancy successfully by natural means, many cancer patients use fertility preservation methods to help eliminate secondary infertility and add to their family once they become cancer survivors.

Fertility Preservation

Once a person has been diagnosed with cancer, he or she should speak with the doctor regarding fertility preservation. If there is a chance you will want to expand your family after treatments, looking into various fertility preservation methods makes sense. Sometimes a cancer treatment can be chosen that does not affect fertility, such as a radical trachelectomy (used when a woman has cervical cancer) or oophorectomy (early stage ovarian cancer treatment).

Not all forms of cancer treatment can be successful and leave fertility intact. Taking extra precautions to protect oneself against secondary infertility is often advised for both men and women.

Sperm Banking

Men who have fertility issues are advised to have their sperm frozen. After treatment, couples can then use the banked sperm for in vitro fertilization procedures.

Cryopreservation

Cryopreservation, or freezing, of eggs and/or embryos, is a method used to help women overcome secondary infertility and cancer survivor issues. Embryo preservation is the preferred method, as eggs can be more fragile. However, in the case of no partner at the time of treatment, eggs can be frozen, too.

Ovarian tissue freezing is a newer method of fertility preservation. It may not be suitable for someone who has ovarian cancer or for those whose cancer has spread to the ovaries. This surgical procedure is often recommended for those who need immediate treatment or cannot take fertility drugs.

Secondary Infertility and Cancer Survivors: Options After Treatment

For cancer survivors experiencing secondary infertility and who did not take fertility preservation precautions, help is still available. According to Fertile Hope, the following options are available to men and women after their successful cancer treatment:

• Testicular Sperm Extraction: Men who have undergone cancer treatments may not have sperm present in their ejaculate. However, some may still be left in their testicular tissue that can be extracted and used in IVF treatments.
• Donor Sperm: Using an anonymous donation from a sperm bank for use in infertility treatments. Some couples may also ask a close friend or relative for a sperm donation.
• Donor Embryos: This infertility treatment utilizes frozen embryos, often ones that are excess from another couple undergoing IVF. The woman may have to undergo hormone treatments prior to implantation.
• Donor Eggs: Eggs can be obtained through an anonymous donor or from a friend or relative. They are then combined with the man's sperm and transferred to the woman.

Adoption and surrogacy are other options for couples who face secondary infertility as a result of cancer treatments. To compare various parenthood options, their costs, and success rates, visit Fertile Hope.com and use the comparison tool provided.

Additional Information

Secondary infertility is a concern for cancer patients and survivors. Discuss various cancer treatments with your physician that can preserve your fertility, or undergo fertility preservation before you begin treatment. If you underwent cancer treatment but thought you were done having children, you still have options to achieve a second pregnancy after you become a survivor.

For more information on cancer, fertility, and secondary infertility, visit these websites:

• Fertile Hope
• American Society of Reproductive Medicine (view their Cancer and Fertility Preservation Fact Sheet by clicking here)
• Cancer and Fertility Society
• American Society of Clinical Oncology