Frozen-thawed ovarian tissue retransplants.
Jacques Donnez1, Jean Squifflet, Marie-Madeleine Dolmans
1Department of Gynecology, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium. jacques.donnez@uclouvain.be
Seminars in Reproductive Medicine
|October 7, 2009
Summary
Ovarian tissue cryopreservation offers a vital fertility preservation option for cancer patients needing immediate chemotherapy. Orthotopic transplantation of this tissue has resulted in six live births, demonstrating its effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Oncology
- Gynecology
Background:
- Cancer treatments significantly increase survival for premenopausal women.
- Ovaries are highly sensitive to cytotoxic chemotherapy, particularly alkylating agents.
- Established fertility preservation methods like embryo cryopreservation have limitations for immediate treatment needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the techniques and outcomes of orthotopic transplantation of cryopreserved ovarian tissue.
- To highlight ovarian tissue cryopreservation as an alternative for immediate chemotherapy initiation.
Main Methods:
- Cryopreservation of ovarian tissue.
- Orthotopic transplantation of cryopreserved ovarian tissue.
Main Results:
- Cryopreservation of ovarian tissue is the sole option for patients requiring immediate chemotherapy.
- Six live births have been reported following orthotopic transplantation of cryopreserved ovarian tissue among nearly 30 cases.
Conclusions:
- Orthotopic transplantation of cryopreserved ovarian tissue is a viable fertility preservation strategy.
- This technique offers hope for reproductive future in cancer survivors who cannot undergo standard fertility preservation.
