Autotransplantation of cryopreserved ovarian tissue after treatment for malignant disease - The first Norwegian results

Abstract

Introduction With increasing survival rates after treatment for cancer in prepubertal girls and women of reproductive age, an increasing focus on quality of life has emerged. Both irradiation and cytotoxic drugs can be detrimental to future fertility, consequently several treatment alternatives have been developed to spare or restore fertility in young females diagnosed with cancer. One of these options is cryopreservation of ovarian tissue before treatment and autotransplantation at a later time. Material and methods We present the Norwegian experience after 11 years of practice with ovarian tissue cryopreservation. A total of 164 patients have had ovarian tissue cryopreserved during the period 2004-2014. Fifteen patients died during the observation period. Six patients requested autotransplantation, which was performed in two women. Results Both patients conceived, one spontaneously and one after assisted reproduction due to a concomitant male factor. The pregnancies were uneventful and they each gave birth to a healthy child. Conclusions Cryopreservation with later autotransplantation of ovarian tissue should be offered to a selected group of young women with cancer.