A recent study by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital addresses fertility preservation in young male cancer patients, identifying the chemotherapy dose threshold below which male childhood cancer survivors are likely to have normal sperm production. Dr. William Kutteh and Dr. Raymond Ke with Fertility Associates of Memphis participated in the research study, which appears in September 17 edition of the journal Lancet Oncology.

Dr. Kutteh said, “It is well documented that many cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, can cause a decrease in both male and female fertility. This is especially true in childhood cancer patients. Cancer therapies have made huge strides during the last several decades, leading to a marked increase in survival rates among cancer patients. For this reason, fertility after cancer treatment has become an important topic. Patients have more choices than ever before when it comes to preserving their fertility, so they will be able to start a family later in life if they wish.”

By clarifying which patients are at highest risk for reduced sperm production as adults, researchers expect the findings to eventually increase the use of pre-treatment fertility preservation methods such as sperm banking.

The doctors at Fertility Associates of Memphis have worked with cancer treatment centers and hospitals for decades to preserve semen for teen and young adult male patients. Fertility Associates of Memphis also helps young adolescent female cancer patients and was one of the first programs in the country to report a live birth after using frozen-thawed-fertilized oocytes (eggs).

To schedule an appointment with one of our board certified physicians, please call the Fertility Associates of Memphis office at 901-747-2229. For patients diagnosed with cancer, one of our doctors will schedule an urgent visit within 24 to 48 hours after we hear from your cancer doctor. The process of IVF and preserving fertility will be explained at the initial visit and any required tests will be ordered at that time.

Original St. Jude article: http://www.stjude.org/green-infertility?sc_icid=spot-infertility