FERTILITY PRESERVATION MANAGEMENT FOR OVARIAN CANCER

Nowadays the usage of novel diagnostic tools and oncological treatments increased the survival rates in oncological patients. However, gynecological cancer treatment options may physically damage or remove reproductive organs and negatively impact on ovarian functioning by exposure to ionizing radiation or chemotherapy toxicity. In addition, survival rate improvement from gynecological malignancies raised the awareness that fertility preservation is also very important. The ability to have their own genetic child can be a strong stimulus for cancer survivorship and determinant of future quality of life after the cancer therapies. There are numerous studies and case reports that highlighted different fertility-sparing techniques. The main objective of this review is to describe the different fertility preservation strategies and evaluate these standard and novel emerging techniques in terms of effectiveness and efficacy in patients with an ovarian cancer diagnosis. Emerging and experimental fertility-sparing techniques are promising, involving the in vitro fertilization techniques, minimally invasive fertility-sparing surgeries, cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos, construction of artificial ovary and in vitro culturing and maturation of oocytes. Preservation of reproductive potential in oncological patients with diagnosed ovarian cancer can be challenging. Advances in reproductive sciences will provide newer fertility preservation techniques. However, it is mandatory to involve a multidisciplinary team for counselling the oncological patient.