Effect of Cancer Treatment on Fertility

Effect of Cancer Treatment on Fertility

Cancer is the abnormal growth and division of cells and can develop almost anywhere in the body. There are different types of cancers including lung cancer, skin cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lymphoma, etc. The symptoms of cancer can vary depending on the type of body part is affected.

Fertility issues with cancer and cancer treatment

Cancer and some of the cancer treatments can affect a woman’s fertility or her ability to carry a child. Different types of treatments cause different problems concerning present and future fertility because of which it is important to  consult a fertility expert to know about the risks and if possible preserve fertility before starting treatment of cancer. Infertility resulting from cancer treatments can range from difficulty to conceive a child or the ability to maintain a pregnancy. The problem can be temporary, lasting for some period or even permanent. Again, it will be different for different kinds of cancer and their treatments. If you are a cancer patient or a cancer survivor, the fertility depends on the following factors such as:

●       The type of cancer

●       Type of treatment of cancer such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy or surgery

●       The age at the time of diagnosis and treatment

●       The dose and duration of the treatment

●       Associated other health issues

It is important to understand how the treatment can affect your fertility and pregnancy before starting the treatment. You should ask questions regarding the recommended treatments, and its effects on infertility, fertility options for the future, etc. to your fertility expert whenever possible.

How cancer treatments affect your fertility?

Cancer treatments can affect pregnancy in many ways. Some treatments can directly damage the ovaries and reduce the number of available eggs and others can affect other reproductive organs like the uterus. Some can cause variation in the hormone secretion between the brain and ovaries which may lead to infertility. One of the important factors that impact the effectiveness of these treatments is the age of the patient especially the hormone production and effect on ovaries. Based on the cancer type and age, the treatments vary and so the impacts.

1.   Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy includes treatment with drugs like cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, idarubicin (Idamycin), busulfan, carboplatin, cytarabine, vincristine, etc. Some drugs are more potential to lead to infertility than others. The drug dosage can affect the ovaries and can cause stop releasing eggs and decrease the levels of the hormone estrogen. This condition is called primary ovarian insufficiency (POI). Sometimes POI is temporary and fertility can be restored. Getting pregnant during or soon after chemotherapy is not advisable and it is best to talk to the doctor in such cases.

2.   Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy destroys cancer cells using high energy rays. If the treatment is taken near the abdomen or pelvis, the radiation damages the ovaries and causes infertility. A high dosage of radiation treatment destroys healthy eggs in the ovaries or early menopause. A high dose of radiation therapy to the brain can also affect brain hormones responsible for egg growth. However, measures like ovarian shielding or Oophoropexy can protect the ovaries from radiation.

3.   Surgeries

Surgery near the reproductive system or tissues can affect your fertility. For example, cystectomy in the ovary can damage the eggs, hysterectomy, where the uterus is removed, can affect the capacity to carry the pregnancy. There are chances to cause scarring in the fallopian tubes while surgery.

How to preserve your Fertility?

There are options to preserve fertility for cancer patients. These procedures or treatments may available at the hospital you are taking treatment or in the fertility clinics. Talk with an experienced fertility expert for the best option considering your age and treatment. One of the most common options is fertility freezing methods including egg freezing and embryo freezing. There are other methods like ovarian shielding, ovarian transposition, etc. available. It is best to meet fertility expert before starting cancer treatment.

Effects of Cervical Cancer over Fertility

Cancer, also known as malignancy is a disease where the cells in the body grow abnormally. Cancerous tumors have the potential to invade healthy cells and spread to other parts of the body by continuing to grow. The disease is always named for the part where it starts in the body.

What is cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that arises in the cervix. It is the lowest part of the uterus that is connected to the vagina. Every woman is at risk of cervical cancer in their life. Figures suggest that every year, about 13,000 are diagnosed with cervical cancer. Out of it, 4000 are losing their life.

Cervical cancer mostly arises in the zone of the cervix termed as the transformation zone. Later on, it can spread to other parts like lungs, liver and lymph nodes. Cervical cancer can affect female reproductive organs like ovaries and fallopian tubes which can ultimately lead to infertility in some.

How Cervical Cancer affects Fertility?

The most common question asked by cervical cancer patients is whether it affects their fertility or not. Fertility issues in females depend on many things including the stage of cancer and the treatment recommended to them.

Treatments and medication for advanced cervical cancer can affect the fertility and hinder the patient’s ability to carry the baby. For example, treatments like radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery can affect uterus, ovaries which in turn can lead to infertility. However, that does not imply you can never get pregnant. For that, you need to consult the best fertility expert who deals with such cases as in Oncofertility.

Options like oocyte cryopreservation or embryo freezing can be offered depending on individual case and type of cancer. Also, treatments like fertility-sparing surgeries such as conization and simple or radical trachelectomy can be considered which carry about 70% chances of pregnancy. Trachelectomy is the treatment suggested for those who are in the early stages of cervical cancer. These surgical treatments do carry the risk of miscarriage or premature birth. Thus, it is important to discuss these treatment options and fertility concerns with a fertility specialist before starting the treatment.

The most important step one can do is to undergo a preventive test which helps to detect cancer at very early stages when cancer is less aggressive and treatment is much milder. Early detection and treatment also help to restore fertility issues. Discussing fertility issues prior to cancer treatment offers you better possibilities and opportunities.

Early stages of cervical cancer

The early stages of cervical cancer generally are not associated with any symptoms but can be picked up by preventive tests like Pap smear. It is better if cancer is detected in its early stages when it is treatable. Statistics show that over a five-year period, the woman who is affected by cervical cancer and received early detection have a 92% survival rate.

Symptoms of much advanced cervical cancer include:

●       Abnormal vaginal bleeding between menstrual cycles, after intercourse, post-menopause, etc. Abnormal vaginal secretion with a strong odor and blood is also considered as a sign of cervix cancer.

●       Pelvic pain

●       Severe pain during or after sexual intercourse

It is possible to have these symptoms for other causes including infection. However, anyone experiencing these symptoms is advised to consult a doctor and complete a gynecological exam.