Fertility Preservation for Cancer Patients (Cryopreservation)

What Is Cancer-Related Fertility Preservation?

Cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery can affect fertility. Fertility preservation — also known as oncofertility — offers options to protect your ability to have biological children in the future. One of the most effective methods is cryopreservation, which involves freezing reproductive tissue (eggs, sperm, or embryos) before treatment begins.

Why It Matters

Cancer treatments can impact:

• Ovarian function (in women and individuals assigned female at birth)
• Sperm production (in men and individuals assigned male at birth)
• Hormone levels and reproductive organs

Preserving fertility before starting treatment gives you more options later in life, whether you want children soon or many years from now.

Cryopreservation Options

For Women :

• Egg Freezing (Oocyte Cryopreservation)
  Eggs are retrieved, frozen, and stored for future use.
  Typically takes 10–14 days.


• Embryo Freezing
  Eggs are fertilized with sperm before freezing.
  Ideal for those with a partner or using donor sperm.


• Ovarian Tissue Freezing
  A surgical procedure removes and freezes ovarian tissue.
  Can be used when there isn’t time for egg retrieval (e.g., in urgent cancer cases).

For Men Individuals :

• Sperm Freezing (Semen Cryopreservation)
  A quick, noninvasive process to collect and freeze sperm.
  Ideally done before chemotherapy or radiation starts.


• Testicular Tissue Freezing (experimental)
  May be an option for prepubertal boys who haven’t started producing sperm.

When Should Fertility Preservation Be Done?

Ideally, cryopreservation should be completed before cancer treatment begins. Some procedures (like sperm freezing) can be done in a day, while others (like egg retrieval) require a few week