Practical issues and research trends of oncofertility in gynecologic cancer

ABSTRACT

In recent years, there has been a greater impetus toward preserving fertility in young women with gynecologic cancer. This is related to the increasing incidence of gynecologic cancer in young women and to the social phenomenon in which women, on average, are getting married and having their first child at an older age. For women with early gynecologic cancer, treatment strategies can be undertaken to preserve the uterus and part of the ovaries, which can be used to preserve fertility. For women with advanced gynecologic cancer, treatment strategies using assisted reproductive technology are the main option to preserve fertility. Young women with gynecologic cancer who want to preserve fertility should be counseled thoroughly regarding treatment options that allow fertility preservation before commencing anti-cancer treatment. This article describes various methods for preserving fertility and examines recent research trends related to young women with gynecologic cancer.