Fertility Preservation After a Cancer Diagnosis: A Systematic Review of Adolescents', Parents', and Providers' Perspectives, Experiences, and Preferences

Overview

Journal J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol

Specialties Gynecology & Obstetrics
Pediatrics

Date 2016 Apr 25

PMID 27108230

Citations 27

Authors

Julia F Taylor

Mary A Ott

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Study Objective: Survival into adulthood is now a reality for many adolescents facing cancer. Fertility preservation (FP) is rapidly advancing, but oncology providers and health systems struggle to incorporate the newest FP technologies into the clinical care of adolescents. Our objective was to systematically review and synthesize the available data regarding the perspectives, experiences, and preferences of adolescents, parents, and oncology providers about FP to inform clinical implementation of FP technologies. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, INTERVENTIONS, AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Five electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Knowledge, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsychInfo) were systematically searched for studies published between January 1999 and May 2014. Adolescents were defined as 12-18 years at the time of diagnosis or designated as pubertal/postpubertal and younger than 18 years of age. Studies were assessed for methodological quality, data were extracted using a standardized form, and results were synthesized using guidelines for a narrative syntheses of quantitative and qualitative data.

Results: In total, 1237 records were identified, with 22 articles, representing 17 unique studies that met the inclusion criteria. The following topics were consistently observed across studies and populations: (1) fertility in trust; (2) decision-making challenges; (3) provider knowledge and practices; and (4) discrepancies between desired and actual experiences.

Conclusion: Despite the challenges associated with a new cancer diagnosis, adolescents and parents value the opportunity to discuss fertility concerns and preservation options. Providers play an important role in addressing these topics for families and efforts should be made to incorporate FP discussions into routine cancer care for all adolescents, with attention paid to the unique needs of adolescents and their parents.

Citing Articles

Mapping ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) of fertility preservation.

Alon I, Bussod I, Golan O, Ravitsky V J Assist Reprod Genet. 2024; 41(9):2495-2514.

PMID: 39141169 PMC: 11405582. DOI: 10.1007/s10815-024-03210-w.

A dozen years of ovarian tissue cryopreservation at a pediatric hospital: tracking program and patient metrics while adapting to increasing needs.

McElhinney K, Kennedy T, Rowell E, Laronda M F S Rep. 2024; 5(2):197-204.

PMID: 38983744 PMC: 11228781. DOI: 10.1016/j.xfre.2024.02.009.

Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) and Patient Experiences in Fertility Preservation: A Systematic Review of the Literature on Adolescents and Young Adults (AYAs) with Cancer.

Klijn N, Ter Kuile M, Lashley E Cancers (Basel). 2023; 15(24).

PMID: 38136372 PMC: 10741741. DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245828.

Ethical Aspects of Involving Adolescents in HIV Research: A Systematic Review of the Empiric Literature.

MacDonald K, Enane L, McHenry M, Davis N, Whipple E, Ott M J Pediatr. 2023; 262:113589.

PMID: 37399918 PMC: 11119419. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2023.113589.

Knowledge, attitudes and intention on fertility preservation among breast cancer patients.

Ko J, Cheung C, Cheng H, Yung S, Ng T, Tin W Sci Rep. 2023; 13(1):9645.

PMID: 37316503 PMC: 10267122. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36377-w.

References

Burns K, Boudreau C, Panepinto J . Attitudes regarding fertility preservation in female adolescent cancer patients. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. 2006; 28(6):350-4. DOI: 10.1097/00043426-200606000-00006. View

Robison L, Hudson M . Survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer: life-long risks and responsibilities. Nat Rev Cancer. 2013; 14(1):61-70. PMC: 6425479. DOI: 10.1038/nrc3634. View

Vadaparampil S, Clayton H, Quinn G, King L, Nieder M, Wilson C . Pediatric oncology nurses' attitudes related to discussing fertility preservation with pediatric cancer patients and their families. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs. 2007; 24(5):255-63. DOI: 10.1177/1043454207303878. View

Sheth K, Sharma V, Helfand B, Cashy J, Smith K, Hedges J . Improved fertility preservation care for male patients with cancer after establishment of formalized oncofertility program. J Urol. 2012; 187(3):979-86. DOI: 10.1016/j.juro.2011.10.154. View

Woodgate R, Degner L . A substantive theory of Keeping the Spirit Alive: the Spirit Within children with cancer and their families. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs. 2003; 20(3):103-19. DOI: 10.1053/jpon.2003.75. View

Quinn G, Knapp C, Murphy D, Sawczyn K, Sender L . Congruence of reproductive concerns among adolescents with cancer and parents: pilot testing an adapted instrument. Pediatrics. 2012; 129(4):e930-6. PMC: 3313639. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2011-2568. View

Bower B, Quinn G . Fertility preservation in cancer patients: ethical considerations. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2012; 732:187-96. DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-2492-1_15. View

Matthews M, Hurst B, Marshburn P, Usadi R, Papadakis M, Sarantou T . Cancer, fertility preservation, and future pregnancy: a comprehensive review. Obstet Gynecol Int. 2012; 2012:953937. PMC: 3316966. DOI: 10.1155/2012/953937. View

Kars M, Duijnstee M, Pool A, van Delden J, Grypdonck M . Being there: parenting the child with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. J Clin Nurs. 2008; 17(12):1553-62. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2007.02235.x. View

10.

Shimizu C, Kato T, Tamura N, Bando H, Asada Y, Mizota Y . Perception and needs of reproductive specialists with regard to fertility preservation of young breast cancer patients. Int J Clin Oncol. 2014; 20(1):82-9. DOI: 10.1007/s10147-014-0676-4. View

11.

Quinn G, Murphy D, Knapp C, Stearsman D, Bradley-Klug K, Sawczyn K . Who decides? Decision making and fertility preservation in teens with cancer: a review of the literature. J Adolesc Health. 2011; 49(4):337-46. PMC: 3179606. DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.01.005. View

12.

Thomas J, Harden A, Oakley A, Oliver S, Sutcliffe K, Rees R . Integrating qualitative research with trials in systematic reviews. BMJ. 2004; 328(7446):1010-2. PMC: 404509. DOI: 10.1136/bmj.328.7446.1010. View

13.

Reebals J, Brown R, Buckner E . Nurse practice issues regarding sperm banking in adolescent male cancer patients. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs. 2006; 23(4):182-8. DOI: 10.1177/1043454206289868. View

14.

Levine J, Canada A, Stern C . Fertility preservation in adolescents and young adults with cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2010; 28(32):4831-41. DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2009.22.8312. View

15.

Kelvin J, Reinecke J . Institutional approaches to implementing fertility preservation for cancer patients. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2012; 732:165-73. DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-2492-1_13. View

16.

Goodwin T, Oosterhuis B, Kiernan M, Hudson M, Dahl G . Attitudes and practices of pediatric oncology providers regarding fertility issues. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2006; 48(1):80-5. DOI: 10.1002/pbc.20814. View

17.

Ginsberg J, Ogle S, Tuchman L, Carlson C, Reilly M, Hobbie W . Sperm banking for adolescent and young adult cancer patients: sperm quality, patient, and parent perspectives. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2007; 50(3):594-8. DOI: 10.1002/pbc.21257. View

18.

Quinn G, Murphy D, Knapp C, Christie J, Phares V, Wells K . Coping Styles of Female Adolescent Cancer Patients with Potential Fertility Loss. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol. 2013; 2(2):66-71. PMC: 3684136. DOI: 10.1089/jayao.2012.0038. View

19.

Loren A, Brazauskas R, Chow E, Gilleece M, Halter J, Jacobsohn D . Physician perceptions and practice patterns regarding fertility preservation in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients. Bone Marrow Transplant. 2013; 48(8):1091-7. PMC: 3914209. DOI: 10.1038/bmt.2013.13. View

20.

Sadri-Ardekani H, Akhondi M, Vossough P, Maleki H, Sedighnejad S, Kamali K . Parental attitudes toward fertility preservation in boys with cancer: context of different risk levels of infertility and success rates of fertility restoration. Fertil Steril. 2013; 99(3):796-802. DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.11.030. View