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Ranniger RL, Lamaita RM, D’Abreu BF, Tolentino MR, Cândido EB, Andrade WP, Nogueira-Rodrigues A, Silva-Filho AL. Fertility preservation in female cancer patients in Brazil: perceptions and attitudes of infertility specialists. REVISTA BRASILEIRA DE GINECOLOGIA E OBSTETRÍCIA 2024; 46:e-rbgo25. [PMID: 38765513 PMCID: PMC11075391 DOI: 10.61622/rbgo/2024rbgo25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Fertility preservation is a priority in oncology for female cancer patients. However, there is a lack of communication between infertility specialists and oncologists. This study aimed to evaluate infertility specialists' perceptions and experiences regarding fertility preservation. Methods Conduct an online survey to profile infertility specialists. Participants were infertility affiliated with the Brazilian Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Associations (FEBRASGO). The specialists received an online survey, which response rate were 30.9%, most of whom were in southern and southeastern. The survey consisted on 14 questions about the infertility specialists' location, techniques in clinical practice, treatment successful rate, patients idea, etc. Results The average experience in human reproduction were 15.5 ± 10.2 years (mean ± standard deviation, range 1-40). Among reproductive-aged female cancer patients recommended for fertility preservation, 60.3 ± 28.8% (range 10-100%) underwent preservation procedures. Main barriers were cost (41%), oncologists' knowledge or acceptance (35%) and accessibility (9%). Most infertility specialists (58%) considered 40 years the limit for fertility preservation. Leukemia, lymphoma, breast and ovarian cancers were prioritized for fertility preservation, while lung, thyroid, gastric, and brain cancers were less relevant. Conclusion This is the first Brazilian study about infertility specialists' perceptions on oncology patients access to fertility preservation. These patients primarily receive treatment in the public health system, while infertility specialists mainly work in the private healthcare. This healthcare mode is currently fragmented, but integrating these experts is enhancing patient access to fertility preservation. Studies on this topic are still warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Lack Ranniger
- Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho"Faculdade de Medicina de BotucatuDepartment of GynecologyBotucatuSPBrazilDepartment of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Mastology, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
| | - Rívia Mara Lamaita
- Universidade Federal de Minas GeraisDepartment of Gynecology and ObstetricsBelo HorizonteMGBrazilDepartment of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
- Mater DeiDepartment of Assisted ReproductionBelo HorizonteMGBrazilDepartment of Assisted Reproduction, Mater Dei, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - Bárbara Flecha D’Abreu
- Universidade Federal de Minas GeraisDepartment of Gynecology and ObstetricsBelo HorizonteMGBrazilDepartment of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - Mariana Rodrigues Tolentino
- Mater DeiDepartment of Assisted ReproductionBelo HorizonteMGBrazilDepartment of Assisted Reproduction, Mater Dei, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - Eduardo Batista Cândido
- Universidade Federal de Minas GeraisDepartment of Gynecology and ObstetricsBelo HorizonteMGBrazilDepartment of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - Warne Pedro Andrade
- Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho"Faculdade de Medicina de BotucatuDepartment of GynecologyBotucatuSPBrazilDepartment of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Mastology, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
| | - Angélica Nogueira-Rodrigues
- Universidade Federal de Minas GeraisDepartment of Internal MedicineBelo HorizonteMGBrazilDepartment of Internal Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - Agnaldo Lopes Silva-Filho
- Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho"Faculdade de Medicina de BotucatuDepartment of GynecologyBotucatuSPBrazilDepartment of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Mastology, Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
- Universidade Federal de Minas GeraisDepartment of Gynecology and ObstetricsBelo HorizonteMGBrazilDepartment of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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Affdal AO, Salama M, Ravitsky V. Ethical, legal, social, and policy issues of ovarian tissue cryopreservation in prepubertal girls: a critical interpretive review. J Assist Reprod Genet 2024; 41:999-1026. [PMID: 38430324 PMCID: PMC11052756 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-024-03059-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Despite the increasing number of childhood cancer survivors, significant advances in ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) technique and medical societies' recommendations, fertility preservation (FP) and FP discussions are not always offered as a standard of care in the pediatric context. The aim of this literature review is to understand what ethical, legal, social, and policy issues may influence the provision of FP by OTC in prepubertal girls with cancer. METHODS A critical interpretive review of peer-reviewed papers published between 2000 and January 2023 was conducted, guided by the McDougall's version of the critical interpretive synthesis (Dixon-Woods), to capture recurring concepts, principles, and arguments regarding FP by OTC for prepubertal girls. RESULTS Of 931 potentially relevant papers, 162 were included in our analysis. Data were grouped into seven thematic categories: (1) risks of the procedure, (2) unique decision-making issues in pediatric oncofertility, (3) counseling, (4) cultural and cost issues, and (5) disposition of cryopreserved reproductive tissue. CONCLUSION This first literature review focusing on ethical, legal, social, and policy issues surrounding OTC in prepubertal girls highlights concerns in the oncofertility debate. Although OTC is no longer experimental as of December 2019, these issues could limit its availability and the child's future reproductive autonomy. This review concludes that specific actions must be provided to enable the offer of FP, such as supporting families' decision-making in this unique and complex context, and providing pediatric patients universal and full access to free or highly subsidized OTC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Vardit Ravitsky
- University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
- The Hastings Center, Garrison, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
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Antunes Junior N, Galuppo AG, Soares JB, Glina S. Restructuring healthcare services, routines and procedures on reproductive medicine based on respect for differences. JBRA Assist Reprod 2024; 28:96-102. [PMID: 38224575 PMCID: PMC10936915 DOI: 10.5935/1518-0557.20230061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Although the term homosexuality was removed from the International Classification of Diseases and trans identities from mental disorders, these classifications promote the pathologizing of homosexuality. The direct consequence is discrimination, which adds to the difficulty in carrying out accurate information related to the LGBT population and makes it very difficult to organize public policies suited to their needs. An important issue is related to the limited access of that population to assisted reproduction techniques, when compared to traditional families. The desire for same sex couples and transgender persons to have biological children is reportedly the same as for cisgender persons, but parenthood can be a much greater endeavor both medically and psychologically for them. The right to health includes freedom to control one's health and body, including sexual and reproductive issues. Despite these difficulties, we are living in a period of great social progress that increases access to assisted reproduction among novel patient populations. With legalization of gay marriage, individuals and couples who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, may seek to begin or expand their families with assisted reproduction technologies. Therefore, the aim of this review was to assist in the restructuring of healthcare services, routines and procedures, mainly related to reproductive medicine, in order to promote changes in values based on respect for differences. In conclusion, the healthcare personnel of fertility centers should undergo specific training and preparations to meet the specific demands of the LGBT patient population and to overcome communication barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelson Antunes Junior
- Clinica Pluris, Director - São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- ALFA Project, Director - São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Jonathas Borges Soares
- Clinica Pluris, Director - São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- ALFA Project, Director - São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Sidney Glina
- Clinica Pluris, Director - São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Clinica Pluris, Researcher - São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Discipline of Urology at Centro Universitário - FMABC -
Santo André, SP, Brazil
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Antunes MB, Cardeal SP, Magalhães M, Vale-Fernandes E, Barreiro M, Sá R, Sousa M. Preservation of fertility in female patients with hematologic diseases. Blood Rev 2023; 62:101115. [PMID: 37562987 DOI: 10.1016/j.blre.2023.101115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Recent developments of assisted reproduction techniques turned possible to avoid the infertility consequences of oncologic treatments, but fertility preservation (FP) has been somewhat neglected in women with hematologic diseases undergoing gonadotoxic treatments. For these specific cases, the current options for FP include the cryopreservation of embryos, mature oocytes and ovarian tissue, and oocyte in-vitro maturation. We intend to make patients and clinicians aware of this important and relevant issue, and provide hematologists, assisted reproduction physicians and patients, with updated tools to guide decisions for FP. The physicians of the units responsible for female FP should always be available to decide on the best-individualized FP option in strict collaboration with hematologists. With a wide range of options for FP tailored to each case, a greater level of training and information is needed among clinicians, so that patients proposed to gonadotoxic treatments can be previously advised for FP techniques in hematological conditions. ABBREVIATED ABSTRACT: Recent developments of assisted reproduction techniques turned possible to preserve the fertility of women with hematologic diseases undergoing gonadotoxic treatments. Current options for fertility preservation in women with hematologic diseases are presented. It is imperative to offer fertility preservation to all women before starting any gonadotoxic treatment and in some cases after treatment. Fertility preservation methods enable to later achieve the desired pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Bini Antunes
- Department of Clinical Hematology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Largo do Professor Abel Salazar, 4099-001 Porto, Portugal; UMIB-Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine/ITR-Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Sara Pinto Cardeal
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Department of Microscopy, ICBAS-School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Manuel Magalhães
- UMIB-Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine/ITR-Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal; Department of Oncology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Largo do Professor Abel Salazar, 4099-001 Porto, Portugal
| | - Emídio Vale-Fernandes
- UMIB-Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine/ITR-Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal; Centro de Procriação Medicamente Assistida, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Largo da Maternidade, 4050-371, Porto, Portugal
| | - Márcia Barreiro
- UMIB-Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine/ITR-Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal; Centro de Procriação Medicamente Assistida, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Largo da Maternidade, 4050-371, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Rosália Sá
- UMIB-Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine/ITR-Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal; Laboratory of Cell Biology, Department of Microscopy, ICBAS-School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Mário Sousa
- UMIB-Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine/ITR-Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health, Porto, Portugal; Laboratory of Cell Biology, Department of Microscopy, ICBAS-School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
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Dolmans MM, Hossay C, Nguyen TYT, Poirot C. Fertility Preservation: How to Preserve Ovarian Function in Children, Adolescents and Adults. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10225247. [PMID: 34830528 PMCID: PMC8621487 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10225247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Chemotherapy, pelvic radiotherapy and ovarian surgery have known gonadotoxic effects that can lead to endocrine dysfunction, cessation of ovarian endocrine activity and early depletion of the ovarian reserve, causing a risk for future fertility problems, even in children. Important determinants of this risk are the patient’s age and ovarian reserve, type of treatment and dose. When the risk of premature ovarian insufficiency is high, fertility preservation strategies must be offered to the patient. Furthermore, fertility preservation may sometimes be needed in conditions other than cancer, such as in non-malignant diseases or in patients seeking fertility preservation for personal reasons. Oocyte and/or embryo vitrification and ovarian tissue cryopreservation are the two methods currently endorsed by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, yielding encouraging results in terms of pregnancy and live birth rates. The choice of one technique above the other depends mostly on the age and pubertal status of the patient, and personal and medical circumstances. This review focuses on the available fertility preservation techniques, their appropriateness according to patient age and their efficacy in terms of pregnancy and live birth rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Madeleine Dolmans
- Gynecology Research Unit, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Av. Mounier 52, 1200 Brussels, Belgium; (C.H.); (T.Y.T.N.)
- Department of Gynecology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Av. Hippocrate 10, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
- Correspondence:
| | - Camille Hossay
- Gynecology Research Unit, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Av. Mounier 52, 1200 Brussels, Belgium; (C.H.); (T.Y.T.N.)
| | - Thu Yen Thi Nguyen
- Gynecology Research Unit, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Av. Mounier 52, 1200 Brussels, Belgium; (C.H.); (T.Y.T.N.)
| | - Catherine Poirot
- Department of Hematology, AYA Unit, Saint Louis Hospital AP-HP, 1 Avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75010 Paris, France;
- Médecine Sorbonne Université, Site Pitié Salpêtrière, 91 Bd de l’Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Cochin Hospital AP-HP, 123 Bd de Port Royal, 75014 Paris, France
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Canlorbe G, Chabbert-Buffet N, Uzan C. Fertility-Sparing Surgery for Ovarian Cancer. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10184235. [PMID: 34575345 PMCID: PMC8466872 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10184235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: although most patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) undergo radical surgery, patients with early-stage disease, borderline ovarian tumor (BOT) or a non-epithelial tumor could be offered fertility-sparing surgery (FSS) depending on histologic subtypes and prognostic factors. (2) Methods: we conducted a systematic review to assess the safety and fertility outcomes of FSS in the treatment of ovarian cancer. We queried the MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Cochrane (“Cochrane Reviews”) databases for articles published in English or French between 1985 and 15 January 2021. (3) Results: for patients with BOT, FSS should be offered to young women with a desire to conceive, even if peritoneal implants are discovered at the time of initial surgery. Women with mucinous BOT should undergo initial unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, whereas cystectomy is an acceptable option for women with serous BOT. Assisted reproductive technology (ART) can be initiated in patients with stage I BOT if infertility persists after surgery. For patients with EOC, FSS should only be considered after staging for women with stage IA grade 1 (and probably 2, or low-grade in the current classification) serous, mucinous or endometrioid tumors. FSS could also be offered to patients with stage IC grade 1 (or low-grade) disease. For women with serous, mucinous or endometrioid high-grade stage IA or low-grade stage IC1 or IC2 EOC, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and uterine conservation could be offered to allow pregnancy by egg donation. Finally, FSS has a large role to play in patients with non- epithelial ovarian cancer, and particularly women with malignant ovarian germ cell tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffroy Canlorbe
- Department of Gynecological and Breast Surgery and Oncology, Pitié-Salpêtrière, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), University Hospital, 75013 Paris, France;
- Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine (CRSA), INSERM UMR_S_938, Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, Sorbonne University, 75012 Paris, France;
- University Institute of Cancer, Sorbonne University, 75013 Paris, France
- Correspondence:
| | - Nathalie Chabbert-Buffet
- Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine (CRSA), INSERM UMR_S_938, Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, Sorbonne University, 75012 Paris, France;
- University Institute of Cancer, Sorbonne University, 75013 Paris, France
- Department of Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Tenon University Hospital, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Sorbonne University, 75020 Paris, France
| | - Catherine Uzan
- Department of Gynecological and Breast Surgery and Oncology, Pitié-Salpêtrière, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), University Hospital, 75013 Paris, France;
- Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine (CRSA), INSERM UMR_S_938, Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, Sorbonne University, 75012 Paris, France;
- University Institute of Cancer, Sorbonne University, 75013 Paris, France
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