Dror Meirow1. 1. IVF Unit, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel. meirow@post.tau.ac.il
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review covers the medical approach and laboratory guidelines needed for fertility preservation using stored ovarian tissue in cancer patients. Indications, careful patient selection and timing are essential. Techniques for tissue harvesting and storage are evaluated. Up-to-date information on publications reporting on transplantation, recovery of endocrine function, pregnancy and delivery of healthy babies is reviewed as well as relevant data on safety measures to detect cancer cells in stored ovarian tissue. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent literature review indicates 12 pregnancies, five deliveries of healthy babies and two ongoing pregnancies after transplantation of ovarian tissue using different methods. To increase the safety of ovarian tissue cryopreservation-reimplantation procedures, algorithm and methods to identify tumor involvement in the ovaries and detection of small numbers of cancer cells in ovarian tissue were recently reported. SUMMARY: Cryopreservation of ovarian tissue has been practiced for over a decade in an attempt to preserve fertility before the commencement of potentially sterilizing chemotherapy. With more than a few recent reports on pregnancies and deliveries after transplantation of ovarian tissue, there will be more patients requesting the storage of ovarian tissue in order to preserve fertility prior to cancer treatments.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review covers the medical approach and laboratory guidelines needed for fertility preservation using stored ovarian tissue in cancerpatients. Indications, careful patient selection and timing are essential. Techniques for tissue harvesting and storage are evaluated. Up-to-date information on publications reporting on transplantation, recovery of endocrine function, pregnancy and delivery of healthy babies is reviewed as well as relevant data on safety measures to detect cancer cells in stored ovarian tissue. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent literature review indicates 12 pregnancies, five deliveries of healthy babies and two ongoing pregnancies after transplantation of ovarian tissue using different methods. To increase the safety of ovarian tissue cryopreservation-reimplantation procedures, algorithm and methods to identify tumor involvement in the ovaries and detection of small numbers of cancer cells in ovarian tissue were recently reported. SUMMARY: Cryopreservation of ovarian tissue has been practiced for over a decade in an attempt to preserve fertility before the commencement of potentially sterilizing chemotherapy. With more than a few recent reports on pregnancies and deliveries after transplantation of ovarian tissue, there will be more patients requesting the storage of ovarian tissue in order to preserve fertility prior to cancer treatments.
Authors: S Joshi; B N Savani; E J Chow; M H Gilleece; J Halter; D A Jacobsohn; J Pidala; G P Quinn; J-Y Cahn; A A Jakubowski; N R Kamani; H M Lazarus; J D Rizzo; H C Schouten; G Socie; P Stratton; M L Sorror; A B Warwick; J R Wingard; A W Loren; N S Majhail Journal: Bone Marrow Transplant Date: 2014-01-13 Impact factor: 5.483
Authors: Mary Ellen Pavone; Jennifer Hirshfeld-Cytron; Candace Tingen; Cristina Thomas; Jessina Thomas; M Patrick Lowe; Julian C Schink; Teresa K Woodruff Journal: Reprod Sci Date: 2013-10-04 Impact factor: 3.060