Some people develop cancer or another serious illness during their lifetime that require treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In certain cases, these treatments may lead to reduced fertility or, occasionally, its complete loss.
The risk of fertility impairment depends on several factors, particularly the type and intensity of chemotherapy or the dose of radiotherapy. In women, age also plays an important role. For cancer cells that are highly sensitive to treatment, less intensive chemotherapy regimens are often sufficient. Generally speaking, the younger a woman is at time of treatment, the lower the risk of a negative influence on fertility.
Therefore, it is not possible to give a general estimate of the related risk regarding fertility issues. Assessment must always be made on an individual basis, taking all relevant factors into account.
Further information on selected conditions, including their associated risks and the potential need for fertility-preserving measures, can be found via the link below.
The “Decision Aid” provided there is designed to support patients in making an informed choice about fertility preservation following a consultation.
