[Discussing Fertility and the Desire to have a Child in Hemato-Oncology--A Qualitative Survey].

OBJECTIVES: Adolescent and young adult patients in hemato-oncology have often not fulfilled their desire to have a child, which is threatened by the malignancy and it's treatment. The oncologists have to inform their patients about possible infertility and fertility preservation.
METHODS: 25 oncologists were interviewed to discuss the desire to have a child and fertility issues with the patients. Afterwards the semi-structured interviews were transcribed and analyzed according to the qualitative content analysis of Mayring.
RESULTS: The following issues could be identified in the interviews: current desire to have a child; possible threat of fertility; fertility preservation and their implementation; contact to a reproduction facility; sexuality and contraception during therapy. Most of the oncologists (n=19) stated to discuss the fertility aspects in the first session. 14 oncologists stated that they have enough knowledge about fertility preservation. To improve the conditions for a discussion the oncologists wished to have more information (n=10) or patient leaflets (n=11) about fertility preservation. DISCUSSION: Addressing the desire to have a child and fertility aspects of adolescent and young adult patients in hemato-oncology have already a high priority. Further studies should analyze the discussion from patient perspective and determine patient needs in this regard. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.