Main description:

The specialty of fertility preservation offers patients with cancer, who are rendered infertile by chemo- and radiotherapy, the opportunity to realize their reproductive potential. This gold-standard publication defines the specialty. The full range of techniques and scientific concepts is covered in detail, and the author team includes many of the world's leading experts in the field. The book opens with introductions to fertility preservation in both cancer and non-cancer patients, followed by cancer biology, epidemiology and treatment, and reproductive biology and cryobiology. Subsequent sections cover fertility preservation strategies in males and females, including medical/surgical procedures, ART, cryopreservation and transplantation of both ovarian tissue and the whole ovary, and in-vitro follicle growth and maturation. Concluding chapters address future technologies, as well as ethical, legal and religious issues. Richly illustrated throughout, this is a key resource for all clinicians specializing in reproductive medicine, gynecology, oncology, hematology, endocrinology and infertility.

Contents:

Foreword; Preface; Part I. Introduction: 1. The evolution of ART; 2. The effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment for cancer on the reproductive system in humans; 3. Fertility preservation in non-cancer patients; Part II. Cancer Biology, Epidemiology and Treatment: 4. Basic cancer biology and immunology; 5. Breast cancer and fertility preservation: a view from oncology; 6. Breast cancer therapy and reproduction; 7. Pediatric cancer therapy and fertility; 8. Cancer epidemiology and environmental factors in children, adolescents and young adults; Part III. Reproductive Biology and Cryobiology: 9. Life and death in the germ line: apoptosis and the origins of DNA damage in human spermatozoa; 10. Molecular aspects of follicular development; 11. Fundamental cryobiology of reproductive cells and tissues: concepts and misconceptions; 12. Fundamental aspects of vitrification as a method of reproductive cell, tissue, and organ cryopreservation; Part IV. Fertility Preservation Strategies in the Male: 13. Hormonal suppression for fertility preservation in the male; 14. Cryopreservation of spermatozoa: old routine and new perspectives; 15. Transplantation of cryopreserved spermatogonia; 16. Fertility preservation strategies in males: cryopreservation and transplantation of testicular tissue; 17. Assisted reproductive techniques and donor sperm in cancer patients; Part V. Fertility Preservation Strategies in the Female: Medical/Surgical: 18. Use of GnRH agonists for prevention of chemotherapy-induced gonado-toxicity; 19. Ovarian transposition; 20. Fertility-saving surgery for cervical cancer; 21. Results of conservative management of ovarian malignant tumors; Part VI. Fertility Preservation Stategies in the Female: ART: 22. Embryo cryopreservation as a fertility preservation strategy; 23. Oocyte cryopreservation – slow freezing; 24. Cryopreservation of human oocytes and the evolution of vitrification technology for this purpose; 25. Cryopreservation and transplantation of isolated follicles; 26. ART and oocyte donation in cancer survivors; Part VII. Ovarian Cryopreservation and Transplantation: 27. General overview of ovarian cryobanking; 28. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation; 29. Ovarian tissue transplantation; 30. Whole ovary freezing; 31. Ovarian transplantation: whole ovary transplantation; Part VIII. In-Vitro Follicle Growth and Maturation: 32. Molecular and cellular integrity of cultured follicles; 33. In-vitro growth (IVG) systems for human oocytes: from primordial to maturation; 34. Contributions of ovarian stromal cells to follicle culture; 35. In-vitro maturation of GV oocytes; 36. Clinical potential of in-vitro maturation; Part IX. Future Technologies: 37. From pluripotent stem cells to germ cells; 38. Artificial ovary; 39. Predicting ovarian futures: the contribution of genetics; Part X. Ethical, Legal and Religious Issues with Fertility Preservation: 40. Psychological issues of cancer survivors; 41. Fertility preservation: ethical considerations; 42. Legal aspects of fertility preservation; 43. Christian ethics in fertility preservation; Index.