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Freezing oocytes or embryos after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in cancer patients: the state of the art

    Julie Bénard

    Department of Reproductive Medicine & Fertility Preservation, Hôpital Jean Verdier, Avenue du 14 Juillet, 93140 Bondy, France

    University Paris XIII, 93000 Bobigny, France

    ,
    Solène Duros

    Department of Reproductive Medicine & Fertility Preservation, Hôpital Jean Verdier, Avenue du 14 Juillet, 93140 Bondy, France

    ,
    Hady El Hachem

    Department of Reproductive Medicine & Fertility Preservation, Hôpital Jean Verdier, Avenue du 14 Juillet, 93140 Bondy, France

    ,
    Charlotte Sonigo

    Department of Reproductive Medicine & Fertility Preservation, Hôpital Jean Verdier, Avenue du 14 Juillet, 93140 Bondy, France

    ,
    Christophe Sifer

    Department of Cytogenetic & Reproductive Biology, Hôpital Jean Verdier, Avenue du 14 Juillet, 93140 Bondy, France

    &
    Michaël Grynberg

    *Author for correspondence:

    E-mail Address: michael.grynberg@aphp.fr

    Department of Reproductive Medicine & Fertility Preservation, Hôpital Jean Verdier, Avenue du 14 Juillet, 93140 Bondy, France

    University Paris XIII, 93000 Bobigny, France

    Unité Inserm U1133, University Paris-Diderot, 75013 Paris, France

    Published Online:https://doi.org/10.2217/fon-2016-0095

    Quality of life of young cancer survivors has become a major issue. However, anticancer therapies can have a detrimental impact on fertility. It is now well-established that all patients should receive information about the fertility risks associated with their cancer treatment and the fertility preservation options available. Currently, oocyte or embryo banking after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation represents the most effective method for preserving female fertility. Over the past years innovative protocols of ovarian stimulation have been developed to enable cancer patients to undergo oocyte or embryo cryopreservation irrespective of the phase of the cycle or without exogenous follicle-stimulating hormone-related increase in serum estradiol levels. The present article reviews the different protocols of ovarian hyperstimulation for cancer patients, candidates for fertility preservation.

    Papers of special note have been highlighted as: •• of considerable interest

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