In recent years, The Center has applied new technology to give cancer patients the opportunity to conceive after cancer treatment have damaged their reproductive organs.
“Cancer strikes people of all ages,” Dr. Degelos said. “Women in their reproductive years may lose the opportunity to conceive children. We have the science now to help women after cancer by retrieving eggs before their cancer treatment, preserving them safely and re-implanting them when cancer treatment has concluded.”
She explained that The Center is now using a new protocol, ovarian tissue freezing, to take ovarian tissue from cancer patients prior to cancer treatment, freeze it and, once the patient is cancer free, transplant it back into the remaining ovary. Once transplanted back into the ovary the tissue can resume its function and produce eggs. If a transplant is not successful, remaining frozen tissue can be used in additional transplants.
“The science is, of course, very important in treating cancer patients. But it is just as important to be very open with patients about the opportunities we can offer for conception after cancer treatment. When you have just found out you have cancer, it is hard to comprehend the science and make fertility preservation decisions. We take the time to make sure every individual understands their alternatives for fertility preservation after cancer. We are here to help alleviate the process and educate both men and women on their fertility perservation options after cancer every step of the way.”