Before and After Cancer Treatment · Fertility Preservation
Oncofertility and Fertility Preservation
Oncofertility is a multidisciplinary field that assesses how cancer and its treatment may affect reproductive potential and coordinates egg, sperm or embryo preservation safely alongside oncology care.
- Oncology and reproductive-medicine teams work within the same treatment timeline
- Fertility counselling can continue before and after cancer treatment
Understand the treatment in 1 minute
Oncofertility Quick Summary
Who may be suitable?
For people planning chemotherapy, radiotherapy, gonadal surgery, stem-cell transplantation or other treatment with a meaningful risk to fertility.Preservation options
Egg, sperm and embryo freezing.Timing
Prompt planning at the earliest feasible stage while protecting the oncology treatment schedule.
Key information
What Is Oncofertility?
Oncofertility brings the potential effects of cancer treatment on fertility and available reproductive options into the same clinical plan.
In brief:Age, cancer type, chemotherapy or radiotherapy plan, surgical site and the time available before treatment are reviewed. Appropriate fertility-preservation options are identified together with the oncology team and may be used before treatment or, in selected circumstances, after treatment.
Treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy involving the pelvis or brain, ovarian or testicular surgery and stem-cell transplantation can temporarily or permanently affect egg or sperm production. Risk depends on factors including the treatment agent and cumulative dose, radiation field, age and pretreatment reserve. Oncofertility is not only about performing a preservation procedure. Patients should receive understandable information about future infertility risk, sperm/egg/embryo freezing options, time constraints, uncertainty of outcome, storage and future-use decisions. Cancer treatment remains the priority while sufficient support is provided for informed decision-making. Fertility assessment after treatment is also important. Menstruation or the presence of sperm in an ejaculate does not by itself prove that reproductive potential is fully preserved. Timing of pregnancy after cancer and use of stored reproductive material should be individualised with oncology approval.
- Fertility risk is often more closely related to the treatment agent, dose and radiation field than to the cancer diagnosis alone
- Sperm freezing can often be completed quickly; egg or embryo freezing usually requires approximately two weeks of ovarian stimulation
Treatment options
The Difference Between Fertility Preservation Before and After Cancer Treatment
The greatest range of preservation options is often available before gonadotoxic treatment begins, although post-treatment fertility assessment remains important.The aim is to preserve reproductive cells before they are exposed to potentially gonadotoxic treatment
Planning is completed promptly within the available time before oncology treatment.- Sperm freezing can often be completed rapidly
- Egg or embryo freezing may be considered
Current reproductive function is reassessed
Cancer control and the safety of pregnancy take priority.- Menstrual cycles or a semen analysis alone may not fully describe fertility potential
- Future use of stored reproductive material may be planned
- Timing of pregnancy is determined with oncology approval
Can fertility preservation be performed after cancer treatment?It may be possible for some people, but ovarian reserve or sperm production may have been affected by treatment and the timing of exposure of reproductive cells to treatment should be considered. Earlier counselling generally provides more options.
Suitability assessment
Who Should Be Considered for Oncofertility Assessment?
Any person of reproductive age planning cancer treatment that may affect fertility may benefit from an oncofertility assessment.People receiving chemotherapy
Particularly those receiving medicines associated with a higher risk of impaired oocyte or sperm production.People planning radiotherapy
People receiving radiotherapy to areas that may affect the pelvis, testes, ovaries, uterus or hormone-regulating centres.People undergoing gonadal surgery
Patients planning surgery that may affect the ovaries, testes or other reproductive organs.Before stem-cell transplantation
People at high risk of fertility impairment because of high-dose chemotherapy and, in some cases, total-body irradiation.Cancer survivors
People who need reassessment of reproductive reserve, pregnancy safety and possible use of stored material after treatment.
Does every cancer treatment cause infertility?No. Risk varies according to treatment type and dose, age, pretreatment reserve and the surgical or radiation field. Unnecessary procedures should be avoided when risk is low, while preservation options should be discussed promptly when risk is substantial.
Before treatment
What Is Assessed Before Cancer Treatment in an Oncofertility Consultation?
The aim is to create a safe, realistic fertility-preservation plan within the time available before cancer treatment.Oncology treatment plan
Cancer type, planned medicines, radiation field, surgery date and treatment start date are reviewed.Fertility-risk assessment
Age, ovarian reserve or semen-analysis findings and the planned cancer treatment are considered together.Available time window
The safe time available for sperm collection or ovarian stimulation is clarified with the oncology team.Selecting the preservation method
Egg, sperm and embryo freezing options are compared according to individual circumstances.Medication and anaesthesia safety
Hormone-sensitive cancers, thrombotic risk, infection and anaesthetic considerations are reviewed.Consent and psychosocial support
Uncertainty of outcome, future use, storage, family-building goals and emotional impact are discussed.
Step-by-step process
How Does the Oncofertility Process Work?
Oncofertility often requires urgent but structured referral and shared decision-making.Prompt referral
The oncology team refers patients with a meaningful fertility risk to the reproductive-medicine team as early as possible.Prompt medical-file review
Diagnosis, oncology protocol, treatment start date and medical suitability are reviewed.Reproductive assessment
Age and ovarian reserve are assessed in women, and semen analysis is assessed in men.Comparing preservation options
The timing, risks and uncertainties of sperm, egg and embryo freezing are explained.Oncology approval and timing
The selected preservation procedure is planned so that cancer treatment is not delayed in a clinically unsafe way.Preservation procedure
A semen sample is collected, or ovarian stimulation and oocyte retrieval are performed, with embryo creation when appropriate.Cryostorage and documentation
Reproductive material is documented with a unique identity, consent record and storage location.Post-treatment follow-up
After cancer treatment, fertility status, pregnancy safety and possible future use of stored material are reassessed.
Treatment timeline
How Long Does an Oncofertility Plan Take?
The timeframe can range from several hours to approximately two weeks depending on the preservation method.Sperm freezing
A sample can often be frozen on the same day; if time permits, more than one sample may be collected.Egg freezing
With random-start protocols, ovarian stimulation commonly takes approximately 10–14 days.Embryo freezing
After oocyte retrieval, fertilisation and several days of embryo culture are required.Post-treatment assessment
The appropriate timing after cancer treatment depends on oncological risk and the individual clinical situation.
How many days do I need to stay in Cyprus?Sperm freezing can often be completed during a short visit. Egg or embryo freezing may require approximately 10–14 days of monitoring in Cyprus, although some monitoring may be completed locally. The oncology treatment schedule always takes priority.
Factors affecting future use
What Factors Affect Oncofertility Outcomes?
Future outcomes depend not only on completing a fertility-preservation procedure, but also on the disease, cancer treatment, age and future overall health.Age at fertility preservation
This is particularly important for future outcomes after egg or embryo freezing.Pretreatment reproductive reserve
AMH, antral follicle count or semen characteristics influence the amount of reproductive material that may be obtained.Time available before cancer treatment
This may limit whether one or more preservation procedures can be completed.Selected preservation method
Future use and expected outcomes differ between egg, sperm and embryo preservation according to individual circumstances.Health after cancer treatment
Oncology approval for pregnancy, organ function and the course of the disease are assessed.Laboratory and storage quality
Cryopreservation, identity verification, tank monitoring and long-term record management are important.
Important distinction:Storing reproductive material does not guarantee a future pregnancy. Whether pregnancy is medically appropriate after cancer also requires separate oncology and obstetric/gynaecological assessment.
Personalised cost planning
Oncofertility and Fertility Preservation Costs
Costs vary according to whether sperm, egg or embryo freezing is selected, the need for urgent coordination, medication, any surgical procedure and storage duration.Rapid assessment
Review of oncology records, ovarian-reserve testing or semen analysis.Preservation method
Sperm, oocyte or embryo cryopreservation.Medication and monitoring
Random-start ovarian-stimulation medication and ultrasound monitoring for egg or embryo freezing.Surgery or anaesthesia
When oocyte retrieval or surgical sperm retrieval is required.Laboratory procedures
Fertilisation, embryo culture, vitrification and specialised laboratory consumables.Storage duration
Initial storage period and longer-term annual cryostorage renewals.Find out what your individual plan may include
Share your oncology diagnosis, planned treatment and start date through the clinic’s designated process so appropriate sperm, egg or embryo preservation options and likely scope can be reviewed promptly.
Laboratory and traceability
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Urgent Cryopreservation and Specimen Safety in Oncofertility
Sperm, oocytes or embryos preserved before cancer treatment may be irreplaceable material, making identity and storage safety especially important.Urgent-procedure documentation
The oncology diagnosis, treatment date and preservation method are documented fully in the laboratory record.Electronic witnessing
Patient, gamete, embryo and storage-device records are linked through multiple verification checks.Method-specific cryopreservation
An appropriate cryopreservation protocol is selected for sperm, oocytes or embryos.Cryostorage segregation and location
Each sample is stored with a unique identity and documented tank location.Alarm and emergency plan
Tank levels, equipment, backup systems and incident records are monitored within the laboratory quality-management system.Long-term communication
Contact information is kept up to date for consent, storage renewal and future-use decisions.
Multidisciplinary approach
Oncofertility Clinical and Laboratory Team
Oncofertility requires coordination between oncology, reproductive medicine, embryology and urology, with genetic or psychological counselling when appropriate.
Obstetrics, Gynaecology and IVF Specialist
Op. Dr. Beril Yüksel
Manages prompt ovarian-reserve assessment, egg or embryo freezing protocols and procedure timing for female patients.View profile →
Scientific Director
Prof. Dr. Münevver Serdaroğulları
Supports the scientific and multidisciplinary planning of sperm, egg and embryo preservation options in coordination with oncology treatment.View profile →
Embryology Laboratory Director
Zafer Atayurt
Coordinates sperm, oocyte and embryo cryopreservation, identity verification and long-term cryostorage safety.View profile →
Balanced information
What Are the Risks and Limitations of Oncofertility Treatment?
Decision-making should consider the priority of cancer treatment, procedural risks, time constraints and uncertainty around future use.Treatment timing
A fertility-preservation procedure should not delay oncology treatment in a clinically unsafe way.Procedure and medication risks
Ovarian stimulation, anaesthesia or surgery may carry additional risks depending on the individual’s health.Insufficient reproductive material
Time constraints, reduced reserve or illness may mean that the expected number of sperm, oocytes or embryos cannot be obtained.Storage and future use
Future use of stored sperm, oocytes or embryos depends on health status, post-treatment assessment and the clinical plan at that time.Suitability for pregnancy after cancer
Even when reproductive material has been stored, pregnancy may require oncology clearance and assessment by relevant specialists.No guarantee of future success
Cryopreservation preserves a future reproductive option but does not guarantee pregnancy or live birth.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Oncofertility
These answers provide general information. Cancer type, treatment protocol, age and oncology timing determine the individual plan.What is oncofertility?
It is a multidisciplinary field that assesses the effect of cancer and cancer treatment on fertility and coordinates sperm, egg and embryo preservation with oncology care.
How can cancer treatment affect fertility?
Some chemotherapy regimens, radiotherapy fields, gonadal surgery and stem-cell transplantation can temporarily or permanently reduce oocyte or sperm production.
When should an oncofertility consultation take place?
Where possible, it should take place at diagnosis and before gonadotoxic treatment begins. Follow-up and fertility counselling may also continue after treatment.
Does oncofertility delay cancer treatment?
The preservation plan is made with the oncology team and should not delay cancer treatment in a clinically unsafe way. Some methods can be completed on the same day, while egg or embryo freezing commonly takes around two weeks.
Which fertility-preservation methods are available for women?
Egg or embryo freezing may be considered for suitable adult patients.
Which fertility-preservation method is used for men?
The main method for men is sperm freezing. If an ejaculate sample cannot be provided, surgical sperm-retrieval options may be discussed in selected patients.
Can egg freezing be considered in hormone-sensitive cancer?
Special stimulation protocols designed to limit hormone exposure may be considered in selected patients. The decision should be made jointly by oncology and reproductive-medicine teams.
How long does sperm freezing take before chemotherapy?
One sample can often be frozen on the same day. If the oncology timetable allows, collecting more than one sample may increase future treatment options.
How long does egg freezing take before cancer treatment?
With random-start protocols, ovarian stimulation and oocyte retrieval can commonly be completed within approximately 10–14 days.
Should eggs or embryos be frozen?
Relationship circumstances and sperm-source decisions, preferences about future control, age, available time and medical factors are considered. No single option is best for everyone.
Is natural pregnancy possible after cancer treatment?
It may be possible for some people, but ovarian reserve or semen parameters, cancer status and the safe timing of pregnancy should be reassessed.
When can pregnancy be planned after cancer treatment?
There is no single timeframe. The oncology team advises according to cancer type, recurrence risk, treatments received and overall health.
How long can stored sperm, eggs or embryos be kept?
Long-term storage may be technically possible, but permitted duration, consent renewal and fees are determined by current regulations.
Are oncofertility procedures safe?
Risk depends on the selected method and individual health. Medication, anaesthesia, surgery and cancer-related factors should be considered together.
How long do I need to stay in Cyprus for oncofertility treatment?
Sperm freezing can often be completed quickly; egg or embryo freezing commonly requires approximately 10–14 days of monitoring. Some monitoring may be completed where the patient lives.
Does oncofertility guarantee future genetic parenthood?
No. Warming or thawing stored material, fertilisation, embryo development, pregnancy safety and live birth are separate stages and cannot be guaranteed.
Next steps
Related Treatments and Information
Time-sensitive fertility preservation
Let Us Create a Prompt Oncofertility Plan Before Cancer Treatment Begins
Share your oncology report, planned medication or radiotherapy and treatment start date so sperm, egg and embryo freezing options can be reviewed promptly.- Direct timing coordination with the oncology team
- Comparison of fertility-preservation options for female and male patients
- Sperm, oocyte and embryo cryopreservation, storage and post-treatment follow-up planning