Parenthood was not always a concern for men who were diagnosed with prostate cancer because the average male who was diagnosed was over 60. Today, however, better testing is catching prostate cancer earlier in younger men for whom the ability to father children may be an issue. 

One of the prostate's functions is to provide for the delivery of sperm.

During prostatectomy, both the prostate and the nearby seminal vesicles are removed.  This surgery makes it nearly impossible for a man to retain his ability to father children through sexual intercourse.  Other treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy, can also influence the ability to remain fertile.  Sperm banking prior to treatment is the best option for men who wish to father biological children.

For detailed information on sperm banking and additional Fertility Preservation options for men, including costs, please view our previous Fertility Preservation 101 issues.

For additional information on prostate cancer, please visit the Prostate Cancer Treatment Guide. 

Gynecological cancer treatments may cause infertility and premature ovarian failure. Factors such as age, type of cancer and type of treatment can influence risk. Surgeries such as hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), oophorectomy (removal of the ovary/ovaries) and trachelectomy (removal of the cervix, but not uterus) will affect a woman's fertility.  In ovarian cancer, surgery typically involves removal of both ovaries and the uterus.  Chemotherapy and radiation can both affect the reproductive system. In general terms, the higher the dose and/or longer the treatment, the greater the chance for reproductive problems for a cancer patient.  

Younger women are typical candidates for hormone therapy after chemotherapy ends. In breast cancer cases, a five year course of tamoxifen may be prescribed. It is best to discuss these types of treatments with a healthcare team, as they can affect fertility.

For detailed information on the following Fertility Preservation options, including costs, please view our previous Fertility Preservation 101 issues.

• Embryo Cryopreservation
• Oocyte (egg) Cryopreservation
• Ovarian Suppression
• Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation
• Ovarian Transposition, Radical Trachelectomy and Ovarian Shielding are additional options that should be discussed with a patient's physician.   

A reproductive endocrinologist (RE) and fertility specialist can work with a patient's oncology team to provide her with important information about  fertility options and information about an infertility evaluation.

Links for help in finding these health professionals: 

American Society for Reproductive Medicine

Northwestern's Oncofertility Consortium's FERTLINE

Additional links for gynecological cancer information:

American Cancer Society's Fertility & Cancer

NCI's A to Z Cancer Topics

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Fertility Fact Sheet

ASCO's Fact Sheets 

Foundation for Women's Cancer

Gynecological Cancers Fact Sheet

Parents of children diagnosed with cancer often do not think about Fertility Preservation. The majority of children treated for cancer can now expect to be cured, however, cancer treatment can cause infertility. Recent advances in assisted reproduction have focused attention on the long-term fertility outcome for these survivors. 

• Fertility Preservation Options for Pre-Pubescent Boys:
• Testicular Tissue Freezing
• Testicular Shielding
• Fertility Preservation Options for Pre-Pubescent Girls:
• Ovarian Tissue Freezing
• Ovarian Transposition
• Radical Trachelectomy
• Ovarian Shielding

For further information on Fertility Preservation options for men, women and children, please Click here to view our Fertility Preservation 101 booklet online. Click on the picture of the booklet on the right. Click here to access previous issues of Fertility Preservation 101.

Additional links for information on Childhood Cancer & Fertility: 

Northwestern's Oncofertility Consortium's educational website

American Cancer Society: Preserving Fertility in Children

NCI's A to Z Cancer Topics

fertileHOPE Childhood Cancer & Fertility

CureSearch Female Childhood Cancer

CureSearch Male Childhood Cancer