Obstetrics and Gynecology

Overview

It may seem odd to worry about fertility when we’re talking about childhood cancer. Mayo Clinic’s Zaraq Khan, M.B.B.S. discusses a treatment called gamete cryopreservation. A process where testicular or ovarian tissues are frozen until the patient is in remission.

IAN ROTH: It's news no parent ever wants to hear, your child has cancer.

ZARAQ KHAN: When there's so many things going on at that time, fertility is something that's overlooked.

IAN ROTH: It may seem odd to worry about fertility when we're talking about childhood cancer, but Mayo Clinic's Dr. Zaraq Khan says it's a sign of how far we've come.

ZARAQ KHAN: We're at that point right now in medicine where we have excellent survival rates for cancer. Unfortunately, they take a big toll on the fertility potential. And if we can provide them both with excellent treatment for their cancer and also be a beacon of hope for their fertility in the future--

IAN ROTH: It's called gamete cryopreservation. They take testicular or ovarian tissue, and they freeze them.

ZARAQ KHAN: Till they're in remission. And then we will transfer it back to the patient so that they can regain their fertility potential.

IAN ROTH: Dr. Kahn says it's another way of treating more than just the cancer.

ZARAQ KHAN: Giving hope and giving some glimmer of happiness into the future really is something that they hold onto, and it goes a long way through the process.

IAN ROTH: For the Mayo Clinic News Network, I'm Ian Roth.