Parental attitudes toward fertility preservation in boys with cancer: context of different risk levels of infertility and success rates of fertility restoration

Abstract

Objective: To measure the parental attitudes toward fertility preservation in boys with cancer.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Questionnaire survey via regular mail.

Patient(s): A total of 465 families whose sons were already treated for cancer.

Intervention(s): The questionnaire was designed for two groups based on child's age at the time of cancer diagnosis: <12 and ≥12 years old.

Main outcome measure(s): Descriptive statistics regarding a positive or negative attitude of parents toward fertility preservation options in the context of different risk levels of infertility and success rates of fertility restoration.

Result(s): The response rate was 78%. Sixty-four percent of parents of boys ≥12 years old would agree to store sperm obtained by masturbation and/or electroejaculation, and 54% of parents of boys <12 years old would agree to store a testicular biopsy. If the risk of infertility or the success rate of fertility restoration were ≤20%, more than one-fourth of parents would still opt for fertility preservation.

Conclusion(s): All parents should be counseled about the risks of infertility due to cancer treatment, because many parents want to preserve their son's fertility even if the risk of becoming infertile or the chances on fertility restoration are low.