ESPE Abstracts

Introduction: Medical advances result in cure and life extension. Modern methods of oncological treatment lead to late endocrinological side effects.

Objective of the study: The aim of the study was to assess the patients’ knowledge of possible result of chemotherapy and its long-term effects linked to gonadal dysfunction.

Materials and methods: The survey covered a group of 92 (62 women) patients with hematologic neoplasms at the age of 26±8.9. Patients were asked about a disease, treatment and knowledge of side effects, the plans and procreation potentials.

Results: 78% of patients were informed about the possible fertility decline as a treatment effect. 28% of them assessed this result as serious and/or the worst side effect. 60% of patients planned to enlarge family. More than 1/3 of the men did not know about the possibility to deposit semen, while 36% wished to use such a possibility, if they had been informed of this before. 47% of men have this awareness, but for various reasons did not make use of it. 17% of interviewees banked their semen. 7% of men have a sperm viability test after the treatment. 58% of women permanently stopped menstruating as a result of treatment. Only four women have received hormone replacement therapy. Before treatment, 76% of respondents menstruated regularly, and the age of menarche was 13±2 years. Under the care of a gynecologist and/or endocrinologist is 60% of the patients. 92% of young women have symptoms of iatrogenic menopause.

Conclusions: Problems of male infertility and premature menopause after hematological treatment, indicate the need of specialist care of patients both before and after cancer therapy. Care about patients’ possibility of procreation is insufficient. Patients should be informed about all methods of fertility securing.