Clinical aspects of fertility preservation in female patients.

There are several methods of fertility preservation available for female patients facing infertility following gonadotoxic treatment of cancer or systemic disease. Embryos, oocytes or ovarian tissue can be cryopreserved and stored until the time when the patient is cured of her main disease and is expecting parenthood. The individual's choice depends on the nature and stage of the main disease, expected treatment, their condition, and age and existence of the partner. It is important to inform all such women about the options, and together with them, choose the most appropriate ones. It is often possible to save ovarian tissue even though the first chemotherapy courses have been undergone, but many more follicles can be stored before cancer treatment. (c) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.