Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026

Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Gynecologic Cancer
Published on: April 17, 2012
[Effects of radiotherapy (external and/or internal) and chemotherapy on female fertility]
Philippe Morice1, Catherine Uzan, Sébastien Gouy
1Institut Gustave Roussy, 39 rue Camille Desmoulins, 94805 Villejuif, France. philippe.morice@igr.fr
Abstract:
The impact of chemotherapy on a woman's fertility depends on her age and the types and doses of the drugs used. Alkylating agents have the biggest negative impact on ovarian function. A trial is currently examining the use of a GnRH agonist to protect ovarian function. The impact of external radiation therapy and brachytherapy on the ovaries depends on three factors: the patient's age, the dose delivered to the ovaries, and concurrent use of chemotherapy. Ovarian transposition is a simple surgical procedure that can be used in selected cases to reduce the risk of early menopause. Both external and internal radiation has an impact on the uterus, notably by altering its vascularization and by reducing its growth when treatment is delivered during childhood.
Related Concept Videos
Spermatogenesis
Biological Effects of Radiation
Infertility in Females
Endometriosis, a condition characterized by abnormal growth of endometrial...
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Disorders of the Female Reproductive System
Oogenesis