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Barriers for sperm cryopreservation in advanced germ cell tumor patients: a 20-year experience

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Abstract

Background

This study aimed to investigate barriers to sperm cryopreservation for patients with advanced germ cell tumors.

Methods

We reviewed data collected from patients who underwent chemotherapy for advanced germ cell tumors in our institutions from 1996 to 2016. We divided sperm cryopreservation procedures into three steps: offering information about sperm cryopreservation, patients’ decision making and sperm collection, and investigating the barriers in each step.

Results

Of the 91 patients, 43 (47%) successfully completed sperm cryopreservation. Thirty (33%) patients were not offered information about sperm cryopreservation from the doctors. Nine patients (9.9%) were offered but declined preservation. Nine patients (9.9%) were not able to provide sperm because of azoospermia (5) and anejaculation (4). Among 43 patients who successfully provided sperm, 10 (23%) had their cryopreserved sperm used for 21 cycles of in vitro fertilization. Ten pregnancies and 7 fatherhoods were achieved. Thirteen patients (30%) had their cryopreserved sperm discarded without use, whereas 20 (47%) continued preserving their sperm for a median 12.5 years.

Conclusions

Not only offering proper information about sperm cryopreservation, but also shared decision making prior to chemotherapy, and considering fertility preservation before orchiectomy are imperative. The rate of use of preserved sperm was relatively high, but decision making for sperm disposal should also be supported.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Kyoto University Hospital, 54 Shogoin Kawaharacho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 6068507, Japan

    Katsuhiro Ito, Yoshiyuki Matsui, Osamu Ogawa & Hiromitsu Negoro

  2. Ichioka Urological Clinic, Symphonia-Oike 1F, Higashinotoin-Nijo sagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, 6040837, Japan

    Katsuhiro Ito, Kentaro Ichioka, Yoshiyuki Matsui & Hiromitsu Negoro

  3. Center For Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Adachi Hospital, Higashinotoin-Nijosagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, 6040837, Japan

    Sachiko Dahal, Takahiro Nakayama & Hiroshi Hatayama

Authors
  1. Katsuhiro Ito
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  2. Kentaro Ichioka
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  3. Sachiko Dahal
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  4. Yoshiyuki Matsui
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  5. Takahiro Nakayama
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  6. Hiroshi Hatayama
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  7. Osamu Ogawa
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  8. Hiromitsu Negoro
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Correspondence to Hiromitsu Negoro.

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Ito, K., Ichioka, K., Dahal, S. et al. Barriers for sperm cryopreservation in advanced germ cell tumor patients: a 20-year experience. Int J Clin Oncol 25, 906–911 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-019-01607-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-019-01607-7

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