Abstract
Cryopreservation and transplantation of ovarian tissue is the only option available for preserving the fertility of prepubertal girls and for women who need acute gonadotoxic cancer treatment. To date, 39 healthy children have been born worldwide using this technique and it is becoming well established in many countries. However, the long-term success rate is difficult to determine since both the numerator and the denominator are difficult to define. A pregnancy may ensue as long as the tissue is active but the true efficacy cannot be determined until the tissue has stopped working. Further, some women wish to become pregnant while others wish only to regain hormone function. The longevity of ovarian grafts and thereby a woman's fertility potential depends on the initial follicle pool, which is related, among other factors, to age, cryo injury and the time it takes post-transplantation until the vascular beds have been revascularized.A major concern for this procedure is the risk of transplanting malignant cells, which could be inherent in the grafted tissue. It is estimated that worldwide over 150 transplantations (October 2014) have been performed and the vast majority of these cases have restored ovarian function/activity; some have lasted over 7 years, with no relapses at the graft sites so far.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Cancer treatment and the ovary : Clinical and laboratory analysis of ovarian toxicity |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Publication date | 1 Sept 2015 |
| Pages | 93-108 |
| Chapter | 7 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-0-12-801591-9 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Sept 2015 |
