Oncofertility and female fertility preservation: a clinical update

Certain cancer and medical treatments can be harmful to fertility by depleting the egg supply. The risk to fertility is dependent on the patient’s age, ovarian reserve before treatment, specific medication, or treatment and dosage. For women at risk of developing ovarian insufficiency because of gonadotoxic treatment, fertility preservation options include embryo, oocyte, and ovarian-tissue cryopreservation. Surgical procedures that can protect fertility for patients facing pelvic radiation therapy include ovarian transposition and uterine transposition. This Practice Pearl will focus on fertility preservation options for women facing medical treatment, a core component of oncofertility.