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Fertility preservation from the point of view of hematopoietic cell transplant specialists—a worldwide-web-based survey analysis

Bone Marrow Transplantation volume 54, pages 1747–1755 (2019)Cite this article

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Abstract

With the increase in cancer survival, men and women have a chance to conceive children post-recovery. This study aims to better understand hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) specialist practices and opinions related to fertility preservation for hematological malignancy patients. Survey requests were emailed to 586 European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) members. Respondents completed the mostly multiple-choice questionnaire on the IVF-Worldwide.com website. Results were reported as a percentage of respondents. Responses were submitted by 150 HCT specialists from 41 (of 195) countries worldwide. The survey showed that most HCT specialists (87%) are aware of and inform patients that chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and transplantation could harm fertility. Specialists referred 56% of their male patients to fertility preservation but only 36% of their female patients; many pre-pubertal or near post-menopausal patients were not referred. This indicates that barriers may be preventing specialists from referring patients for fertility preservation. Many HCT specialists do not know about or use international fertility preservation recommendations, indicating that new protocols for enhancing awareness are needed. Establishing a referral process protocol to reproductive specialists should be considered. When non-urgent treatment can be deferred for 10–20 days, patients can have a sufficient window to undergo certain fertility preservation procedures.

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Acknowledgements

Funding

Technical aspects of the IVF-Worldwide survey were supported by an unrestricted grant from Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. [Grant number: TST_TPU_SRVS_2017_21763].

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Author notes

  1. These authors contributed equally: Heli Alexandroni, Gon Shoham

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Reproductive Medicine and IVF Unit, Kaplan Medical Center, 76100, Rehovot, Israel

    Heli Alexandroni

  2. Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, P.O.B. 39040, Ramat Aviv, 69978, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Gon Shoham

  3. Teva Europe, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Rachel Levy-Toledano

  4. Division of Hematology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel

    Arnon Nagler

  5. Department of Haematology, Saint Antoine Hospital, INSERM UMRS 938, University Pierre and Marie Curie, Paris, France

    Mohamad Mohty

  6. Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain

    Rafael Duarte

  7. IVF Clinic, The Women’s Clinic, 12/F, Central Tower, 28 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, China

    Milton Leong

  8. The Reproductive Medicine and IVF Unit, Kaplan Medical Center, Pasternak Street, 76100, Rehovot, Israel

    Zeev Shoham

  9. Hadassah Medical School, Affiliated to the Hebrew University, Ein Kerem, P.O. Box 12271, 9112102, Jerusalem, Israel

    Zeev Shoham

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Correspondence to Zeev Shoham.

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Conflict of interest

HA has nothing to disclose. GS has nothing to disclose. RL-T was a consultant for Teva Europe Medical Affairs. AN is on the board of the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT). MM is on the board of the EBMT. RD is on the board of the EBMT. ML is an executive at IVF-Worldwide. ZS is an executive at IVF-Worldwide.

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Alexandroni, H., Shoham, G., Levy-Toledano, R. et al. Fertility preservation from the point of view of hematopoietic cell transplant specialists—a worldwide-web-based survey analysis. Bone Marrow Transplant 54, 1747–1755 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41409-019-0519-z

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