Purpose: Testicular cancer (TC) is considered the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in males between 15 and 34 years of age. The objective of this study is to systematically review and meta-analyze studies on fatherhood following treatment for TC. Methods: We reviewed studies reporting on fatherhood following TC from Medline and Embase search engines by developing search strategies. Only studies including patients with TC and at least one reproductive variable were considered as part of the analysis. Estimate of heterogeneity was calculated using the I2 statistic. Meta-analyses employing a fixed effects model were also applied as an additional measure of sensitivity. Results: A total of 27 studies were included which reported on fatherhood after treatment for TC. A meta-analysis of included studies with subgroup analysis was conducted. Subgroup analysis, for the combined studies, indicated an overall pooled pregnancy rate of 22% (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.21-0.23; I2 = 98.1%) for couples who conceived after TC. Of those couples that became pregnant, 11% (95% CI: 0.07-0.16; I2 = 8.5%) experienced a miscarriage. Fatherhood was experienced by 37% (95% CI: 0.35-0.39; I2 = 98.1%) of males following treatment for TC. Conclusions: Male cancer patients should be offered discussions, information, and counseling regarding the impact that TC treatment can have on fertility. Furthermore, sperm banking must be recommended to all patients before starting treatment.
Journal of adolescent and young adult oncology. 2020 Apr 07 [Epub ahead of print]
Brigitte Gerstl, Michael J Bertoldo, Elizabeth Sullivan, Xanthie Volckmar, Aidan Kerr, Handan Wand, Angela Ives, Olayan Albalawi, Antoinette Anazodo
Department of Biostatistics, The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia., School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia., Faculty Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia., Cancer and Palliative Care Research and Evaluation Unit, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia., Kids Cancer Center, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, Australia.