[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Neal_Michael.jpg” caption=”Dr. Michael Neal, laboratory director at the Centre for Reproductive Care. Photo courtesy of FHS.”]A Hamilton study proves that sperm freezing and banking is an effective way to preserve fertility in adolescents and young adult males with cancer.

Researchers at the Centre for Reproductive Care, McMaster Children's Hospital and the Juravinski Cancer Centre, all members of Hamilton Health Sciences, joined forces to investigate the benefits of proactively preserving sperm prior to starting cancer treatment in order to allow male cancer patients the opportunity to father biological children in the future.

Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy may cause transient or permanent infertility in young male cancer patients by affecting either ejaculatory or erectile function or by impairing the generation of sperm.

According to a study available online in CANCER, the peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, laboratory director at the Centre for Reproductive Care Michael Neal and his co-investigators found that even though sperm freezing is shown to be highly effective, it is an underutilized option of fertility preservation for young male cancer patients.

The study showed that only 18 per cent of the patients in the study opted to bank their sperm before cancer treatment. Those who used their frozen sperm sample after overcoming their cancer had a fertility success rate of 36 per cent using intrauterine insemination where the sperm is injected into the uterus and 50 per cent using in vitro fertilization by fertilizing the egg in a lab and then transferring the embryo to the uterus or injecting the sperm directly into the egg.

The collaborative approach between the teams of researchers in the pediatric oncology and the reproductive care units was beneficial to the study.

“The teams involved in the study are highly specialized and unique individually,” said Dr. Neal. “From saving lives to creating new life, the collaboration between these two disciplines provides an exciting opportunity for improved quality of life among adolescent and young adult cancer survivors in the Hamilton region.

“Childhood cancer treatment has improved dramatically in the last decade, resulting in a greater number of survivors,” said Neal. “At the same time, improvements in the field of assisted conception are providing a great chance for male cancer survivors to father children of their own after potentially fertility-damaging treatment.”

Another important component of the study addressed the quality of life of young people affected by cancer.

“When adolescents and young adults are diagnosed with cancer, every aspect of their lives is influenced, including their physical, emotional, economic, spiritual, interpersonal, psychosocial and sexual well-being,” said Dr. Ronald Barr, professor of pediatrics at the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine and chief of service in pediatric hematology/oncology at McMaster Children's Hospital.

The study demonstrated that in clinical practice, the factors of sexual well-being and the effects of the treatment on reproduction might not be addressed adequately by caregivers, and education of both health care providers and patients about this option is needed.

Research nurse Kim Nagel said there is a relatively small window of opportunity before young male cancer patients begin treatment, so it is essential that health care providers are prepared and diligent about providing all options available with regard to improving future fertility.

“The results of this study have demonstrated the benefits of this unique collaboration between specialties in the hospital,” said Nagel. “More research is already in progress or in the planning stages. Given the results of this study, our goal is to improve awareness of sperm banking and future fertility treatments that may impact our patients' quality of life.”