Preserving Fertility in Adolescent Girls and Young Women Requiring Craniospinal Irradiation: A Case Report and Discussion of Options to Be Considered Prior to Treatment

J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol. 2014 Jun 1;3(2):96-99. doi: 10.1089/jayao.2013.0038.

Abstract

Craniospinal irradiation (CSI) is associated with infertility risk for adolescent/young adult women. We explore two methods of reducing ovarian exposure: oophoropexy (surgical removal of the ovaries from the path of the X-ray beam) and proton therapy (to allow the beam to stop without exposing the ovaries/uterus). In the case discussed, oophoropexy followed by X-ray CSI reduced ovarian dose to that at which 50% of oocytes are expected to survive, and the patient appears to have viable oocytes; this technique did not reduce uterine dose. Proton therapy would have eliminated the ovarian and uterine dose and the need for oophoropexy.

Keywords: craniospinal irradiation; fertility after radiation; fertility preservation in cancer survivors; oophoropexy; proton therapy.