Pediatric oncology and reproductive health

Abstract

Although it is well recognized that certain cancer treatments result in infertility, the impact of this condition specific to psychological, developmental, and behavioral outcomes among survivors of childhood cancer remains largely understudied. This book chapter provides a brief review of the cancer treatments most threatening to fertility, while aiming to summarize the literature regarding reproductive decision-making (including fertility preservation and procreation) in the pediatric and adolescent oncofertility context, along with the research on infertility-related psychological distress among survivors and their families. In terms of development, the impact that cancer and its treatment may have on a survivor's identify as a romantic partner and/or parent is considered, while the relationship between perceptions of physical attractiveness and its impact on psychosexual development is presented. Behaviorally speaking, the relationship between cancer treatment in childhood and later sexual functioning in adulthood is reported for both males and females, and its implications for overall quality of life are discussed. Recommendations for clinicians are provided. © 2012 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.