Sammanfattning
BACKGROUND: Cryopreservation of ovarian tissue as a means of preserving fertility is offered to prepubescent girls and women of reproductive age with a high risk of developing premature ovarian failure caused by medical or surgical treatment. The aim of this study was to map fertility and premature ovarian failure rate in women who had ovarian tissue cryopreserved due to cancer treatment.
MATERIAL AND METHOD: In 2014, a questionnaire was sent to 94 women aged over 18 who had ovarian tissue cryopreserved in the period 2004–2012 due to treatment for a malignant condition. The questionnaire contained questions about menstrual frequency, use of contraception, fertility, desire for children in the future and the probability that they would use the ovarian tissue later. Of the 77 women who returned the questionnaire, 74 were included in the study.
RESULTS: A total of 20 of 74 women (27 %) experienced premature ovarian failure defined as cessation of ovarian function before the age of 40. The risk was lowest for women treated for breast cancer (5 %) and highest for women treated for leukaemia (75 %). The greatest risk of premature ovarian failure was found in patient groups who had undergone stem cell transplantation or total body irradiation and/or the abdomen and pelvis. Twenty two women had given birth to 31 children subsequent to cancer therapy, two of them after reimplantation of ovarian tissue.
INTERPRETATION: The risk of developing premature ovarian failure depends on the patient’s cancer diagnosis. The fertility-preserving measures that are recommended should be differentiated according to the patient’s cancer diagnosis and planned treatment.