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Semen cryopreservation for an oncological reason: a retrospective study
Ana Santana-Plata1, Rocio Rivera-Egea2, Nicolás Garrido3
1IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, IVI Foundation, Health Research Institute La Fe, Av. Fernando Abril Martorell, n°106, Torre A, Planta 1ª, 46026, Valencia, Spain..
Research Question:
How do cancer type and treatment affect semen quality before and after treatment, and what effect does it have in their clinical management of infertility? Also, what is the rate of patients using cryopreserved semen samples after treatment?
Design:
Patients who cryopreserved spermatozoa for oncological reasons between 2000 and 2022 in IVI clinics in Spain were retrospectively reviewed. Semen parameters were analysed before and after treatment, and utilization and destruction rates were calculated. Total motile sperm count (TMSC) was used for assisted reproductive technology (ART) counselling.
Results:
A total of 724 patients cryopreserved their semen during the study period. The semen parameters of the cancer patients' semen before and after treatment were heterogeneous, with significant differences between cancer type and semen parameters. The utilization rate was relatively low (0.4%), whereas the destruction rate was 23.1%.
Conclusion:
Cancer and antineoplastic treatment affect everyone differently. Therefore, sperm cryopreservation should be offered to all patients before starting treatment to ensure their reproductive future. Furthermore, in addition to considering the semen parameters defined by the World Health Organization, it is important to use TMSC in the diagnosis of men to choose appropriate ART according to type of cancer.
Insights
Cancer treatments significantly impact semen quality, affecting fertility. Sperm cryopreservation before treatment is crucial for preserving reproductive potential and guiding assisted reproductive technology (ART) choices.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Oncology
- Spermatology
Background:
- Cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation, can severely impair male fertility.
- Sperm cryopreservation is a vital fertility preservation method for cancer patients.
- Understanding the impact of cancer and its treatment on semen quality is essential for managing infertility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how cancer type and treatment affect semen quality before and after therapy.
- To determine the utilization and destruction rates of cryopreserved semen samples post-treatment.
- To evaluate the role of semen parameters and Total Motile Sperm Count (TMSC) in assisted reproductive technology (ART) counseling for cancer patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 724 male patients who cryopreserved semen for oncological reasons between 2000 and 2022.
- Analysis of semen parameters before and after cancer treatment.
- Calculation of semen sample utilization and destruction rates.
Main Results:
- Semen parameters showed significant heterogeneity, varying by cancer type and treatment.
- The utilization rate of cryopreserved semen was low (0.4%).
- The destruction rate of cryopreserved semen samples reached 23.1%.
Conclusions:
- Cancer and its treatments have diverse effects on sperm quality, necessitating individualized reproductive counseling.
- Sperm cryopreservation should be universally offered to cancer patients prior to treatment to safeguard future fertility.
- Total Motile Sperm Count (TMSC) is a valuable metric, alongside standard semen parameters, for guiding ART decisions in cancer survivors.
