Fertility preservation in female patients

In the USA alone, >650 000 women will be afflicted by cancer in 2003, and 8% of these cases will be aged <40 years. Due to improvements in cancer therapy, cure rates of both adult and childhood cancers increased significantly over the past three decades. However, long‐term consequences of cancer therapy and impact on quality of life are now being recognized. One of the major sequelae of cytotoxic chemotherapy is gonadal failure. Cytotoxic chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy are not only used to treat malignant diseases, but also non‐malignant systemic conditions. Upon reviewing the extent and mechanism of gonadal damage due to chemo‐/radiotherapy, this article discusses indications and the wide range of methods of fertility preservation in a comprehensive manner. All current, emerging, experimental as well as controversial approaches are reviewed. A comprehensive algorithm to manage fertility preservation through an individualized approach is presented.