A review of the incidence and survival of childhood and adolescent cancer and the effects of treatment on future fertility and endocrine development
CITATION: Botha, M. H. & Kruger, T. F. 2012. A review of the incidence and survival of childhood and adolescent cancer and the effects of treatment on future fertility and endocrine development. South African Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 18(2):48-53.
The original publication is available at http://www.sajog.org.za
Article
Cancer is not uncommon in children. The reproductive system is an important site for late effects of cancer treatment, and normal pubertal development depends on an undamaged hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Fertility compromise can occur due to chemotherapy, radiotherapy to the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, or surgery. Cryopreservation techniques of germ cells are improving and may offer hope for fertility preservation.