Sterility is caused by poor function or failure of the testes, the male sex organs that produce sperm. Damage to the testes from radiation or chemotherapy is a common cause of sterility among cancer patients. Chemotherapy involves the use of drugs that destroy cells that grow rapidly, a characteristic of cancer cells.
Can chemo and radiation therapy cause infertility?
Higher doses of these drugs are more likely to cause permanent fertility changes , and combinations of drugs can have greater effects. The risks of permanent infertility are even higher when males are treated with both chemo and radiation therapy to the belly (abdomen) or pelvis. Some drugs,...
How does cancer affect your fertility?
Cancer Treatments May Affect Your Fertility. Radiation therapy to the reproductive organs as well as radiation near the abdomen, pelvis, or spine may lower sperm counts and testosterone levels, causing infertility. Radiation may also destroy sperm cells and the stem cells that make sperm.
How does chemotherapy affect testicular germinal epithelium?
Radiation and chemotherapy have cytotoxic effects on testicular germinal epithelium including Sertoli cells, but to a lesser extent on Leydig cells, leading to frequent impairment of spermatogenesis without hypogonadism (117, 156). Sperm counts fall dramatically within 2 months following chemotherapy or radiation (157).
Does chemotherapy affect fertility and biological surrogacy?
The CCSS represents the most robust source of data, and considering the body of literature, there is strong evidence that higher levels of exposure to alkylating chemotherapy have a greater effect on fertility and biological surrogates.
Why does cancer treatment cause infertility?
The hormones, such as estrogen, needed to release eggs each month and prepare the uterus for a possible pregnancy are made in the cells of the ovaries (oocytes). Oocytes tend to divide quickly, so are often affected by chemo. This can lead to loss of those important hormones and can affect fertility.
Does cancer cause sterility?
How Can Cancer Treatment Affect Fertility? Some cancer treatments can damage the testes or ovaries (reproductive organs). This can lead to temporary or permanent infertility (not being able to have children). Chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery all can have lasting effects on reproductive health.
Does cancer treatment affect male fertility?
Chemotherapy (especially alkylating drugs) can damage sperm in men and sperm-forming cells (germ cells) in young boys. Hormone therapy (also called endocrine therapy) can decrease the production of sperm.
Does radiation cause permanent sterility?
RT can damage gonadal tissue at all ages and result in long-term or permanent sterility.
How does cancer affect the reproductive system?
Since sperm cells divide quickly, they are an easy target for damage by chemo. Permanent infertility can result if all the immature cells in the testicles that divide to make new sperm (spermatogonial stem cells) are damaged to the point that they can no longer produce maturing sperm cells.
How long after chemo is sperm safe?
Chemotherapy can be excreted in saliva and semen for 48-72 hours after a treatment. You should use a condom for oral sex or intercourse (vaginal or anal) during this period to prevent your partner from being exposed to chemotherapy.
Is chemo infertility permanent?
Chemotherapy can stop your ovaries from working. This causes infertility, which can be temporary or permanent. It can also bring on the menopause.
Does cancer lower sperm count?
Cancer itself can cause men to have poor sperm quality, even before treatment. It is not uncommon for men with Hodgkin's disease or testicular cancer to have low sperm counts at the time of diagnosis.
Does chemotherapy cause impotence?
The physical side effects of chemotherapy are usually temporary and resolve within one to two weeks after stopping the chemotherapy. However, chemotherapy agents, such as Ciplatin or Vincristine, may interfere with the nerves that control erection leading to possible impotence.
How does chemotherapy affect the reproductive system?
Chemotherapy (especially alkylating agents) can affect the ovaries, causing them to stop releasing eggs and estrogen. This is called primary ovarian insufficiency (POI). Sometimes POI is temporary and your menstrual periods and fertility return after treatment.
Does chemo damage your eggs?
Chemotherapy (chemo) can damage the eggs that are in your ovaries. You're born with all the eggs you will ever have. Some chemo medicines are more likely to cause infertility than others. It depends on which medicines you get, the dose, and length of treatment.
How much radiation does it take to become infertile?
The estimated dosage of radiation causing adverse effects and a reduction in the number of spermatogonia and daughter cells has been reported as between 0.1–1.2 Gy, while irreversible damage occurs at 4 Gy and a decrease in sperm count is obvious at 4–6 Gy [150].
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