Oncofertility

Great strides have been made in the treatment of oncological diseases in recent years. Today it is estimated that the 5-year survival rate is around 65% and for some forms of cancer (lymphomas and breast cancer) more than 85%. Every year in our country about 8,000 citizens under 40 (5,000 women and 3,000 men) have a tumor or 30 every day, equal to about 3% of the total number of new diagnoses. In the face of these data, it is clear that the oncologist can no longer limit himself to dealing only with the patient's survival, but must also take charge of his/her quality of life with a careful look at his/her future and, for the youngest, at the possibility of having children.

The recommendations of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) on fertility preservation in cancer patients emphasize the importance of discussing the risk of infertility with patients of childbearing age and referring them to a specialist to evaluate the possibilities of fertility preservation. Introducing the topic of fertility at the time of diagnosis allows the patient time to reflect, gather information and decide whether to undergo fertility preservation treatment. This choice should be offered to all women of childbearing age, regardless of the treatment they will undergo and their procreative history. Fertility, in fact, is part of a young woman's life regardless of her motherhood plans. The young patient should be informed about the existence of techniques that allow fertility to be preserved. Among these techniques are indicated: conservative surgery of organs dedicated to reproduction; the use of GnRH analogues that protect the ovaries during chemotherapy; cryopreservation of oocytes or ovarian tissue.

Thus was born a new medical discipline that combines oncology and reproductive medicine: oncofertility. The specialist gynaecologist, oncologist, psychologist and biologist with specific skills in the field of infertility treatments, deals with all issues related to fertility and reproduction in oncology: fertility preservation, pregnancy research after cancer and cancer in pregnancy. For this reason, in March 2018 it was deemed necessary to set up a Clinical Assistance Pathway for Fertility Preservation at the Gemelli Polyclinic Foundation dedicated to women who find themselves in this situation, to accompany them in the therapeutic choice and subsequent management of pregnancy. 

WHERE ARE WE
Policlinico A. Gemelli
Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome
Floor 7 - Wing A

RESERVATIONS
Tel: 06/30158290 Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
E-mail: sportello.oncofertilita@policlinicogemelli.it