Naoki Akisada1,2, Nobuya Monden3, Takehito Kishino3,4, Jiro Aoi3, Yuji Hayashi3, Saori Takahashi3, Masataka Nakamura3, Hisashi Ishihara5, Kazunori Nishizaki6. 1. Department of Head and Neck Surgery, National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center, 160 Kou, Minami-Uemoto-cho, Matsuyama City, Ehime, 791-0280, Japan. n.4a2k2isd@gmail.com. 2. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-5-1, Shikada-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan. n.4a2k2isd@gmail.com. 3. Department of Head and Neck Surgery, National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center, 160 Kou, Minami-Uemoto-cho, Matsuyama City, Ehime, 791-0280, Japan. 4. Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, 1750-1 Ikedo, Miki-cho, Kida-gun, Kagawa, 761-0793, Japan. 5. Department of Otolaryngology, Japanese Red Cross Okayama Hospital, 2-1-1, Aoe, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama, 700-8607, Japan. 6. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-5-1, Shikada-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: It is well known that chemotherapy for adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer can reduce fertility regardless of the regimen. A decline in fertility greatly affects the quality of life of cancer survivors in the AYA age group; however, few patients are thought to be receiving fertility preservation measures. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the current understanding and consideration of fertility among otorhinolaryngologists/head and neck surgeons who treat AYA patients with cancer, and to inform them of the guidelines for fertility preservation. A total of 275 otorhinolaryngologists/head and neck surgeons working at our hospital in Ehime, Japan, six neighboring universities, and their affiliated facilities were included in this study. The questionnaire was mailed and requested to be returned by fax. Twenty questions were asked about respondents' years of experience as physicians, specialties, experience in medical care and chemotherapy for AYA patients with cancer, and knowledge and experience in fertility reduction measures. RESULTS: Although 58.7% of the physicians were aware that cryopreservation of eggs and sperm prior to chemotherapy was recommended, only 7 out of 40 physicians (17.5%) had referred AYA patients with cancer to an appropriate medical facility (department) after obtaining informed consent for chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Although fertility preservation has been discussed at professional conferences and seminars, consideration and actions in the field of otorhinolaryngology/head and neck surgery have not been sufficient. We hope that the results of this survey will help raise awareness of fertility preservation.
BACKGROUND: It is well known that chemotherapy for adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer can reduce fertility regardless of the regimen. A decline in fertility greatly affects the quality of life of cancer survivors in the AYA age group; however, few patients are thought to be receiving fertility preservation measures. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was conducted to assess the current understanding and consideration of fertility among otorhinolaryngologists/head and neck surgeons who treat AYA patients with cancer, and to inform them of the guidelines for fertility preservation. A total of 275 otorhinolaryngologists/head and neck surgeons working at our hospital in Ehime, Japan, six neighboring universities, and their affiliated facilities were included in this study. The questionnaire was mailed and requested to be returned by fax. Twenty questions were asked about respondents' years of experience as physicians, specialties, experience in medical care and chemotherapy for AYA patients with cancer, and knowledge and experience in fertility reduction measures. RESULTS: Although 58.7% of the physicians were aware that cryopreservation of eggs and sperm prior to chemotherapy was recommended, only 7 out of 40 physicians (17.5%) had referred AYA patients with cancer to an appropriate medical facility (department) after obtaining informed consent for chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Although fertility preservation has been discussed at professional conferences and seminars, consideration and actions in the field of otorhinolaryngology/head and neck surgery have not been sufficient. We hope that the results of this survey will help raise awareness of fertility preservation.
Entities:
Keywords:
Adolescent and young adult generation; Fertility preservation; Guidelines; Head and neck cancer; Japan; Otorhinolaryngology
Authors: S Medenica; O Nedeljkovic; N Radojevic; M Stojkovic; B Trbojevic; B Pajovic Journal: Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci Date: 2015 Impact factor: 3.507