OBJECTIVE: To describe the outcomes of electroejaculation (EEJ) and testicular sperm extraction (TESE) performed for fertility preservation among male patients who are unable to ejaculate or have nonobstructive azoospermia/severe oligospermia before definitive cancer therapy.
DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.
SETTING: Tertiary cancer referral center.
PATIENT(S): Forty-nine patients seeking fertility preservation before definitive cancer therapy, with anejaculation, religious or cultural objections to masturbation, azoospermia, or severe oligospermia requiring either EEJ or TESE.
INTERVENTION(S): EEJ and TESE.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Sperm retrieval rates.
RESULT(S): Fifty-nine percent of patients overall and 60% of adolescents/young adults had sperm retrieved for cryopreservation. EEJ was successful in retrieving sperm in 60% of adolescents. Of all adolescents and young adults undergoing TESE, 33% had sperm retrieved for cryopreservation. No complications were reported. Chemotherapy was commenced without delay in all patients requiring it, frequently on the same day as the sperm retrieval.
CONCLUSION(S): EEJ and TESE can be safely and successfully used for fertility preservation before cancer therapy among boys and young adult men who are unable to provide a semen specimen or have nonobstructive azoospermia, and they should be considered in all men meeting this patient profile.
Written by:
Berookhim BM, Mulhall JP. Are you the author?
Sexual and Reproductive Medicine Program, Urology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
Reference: Fertil Steril. 2014 Jan 11. pii: S0015-0282(13)03382-7.
doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2013.11.122
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 24424372
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