Fertility Preservation for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults

What is fertility preservation?

Fertility preservation is a medical procedure that helps people protect their ability to have biological children in the future. It involves freezing and storing eggs, sperm or reproductive tissue to use later when they are ready to start a family. These procedures are usually done before treatments like radiation therapy, chemotherapy or stem cell transplants begin.

Besides cancer, treatments for some blood diseases and other conditions can also damage reproductive organs and glands. But not all types of cancer or treatments cause fertility problems. That’s why it’s important to talk to your doctor about whether your fertility is at risk and what to expect from preservation procedures, including possible risks and benefits.

Fertility preservation for females

Before puberty: Ovarian tissue freezing

If a girl hasn’t started her period yet, a small piece of ovary tissue can be removed during an outpatient procedure and frozen. This is called cryopreservation or tissue banking.
After cancer treatment, a surgeon can place the thawed tissue back into the pelvis.
This often helps the body produce hormones needed for puberty. Tissue banking is also used instead of freezing eggs.

After puberty: Egg banking

Hormones are used to stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs.
A specialist removes the eggs, which are frozen and stored until the girl is older and ready to start a family.

Fertility preservation for males

Before puberty: Testicular tissue freezing

Boys who have not gone through puberty don’t make sperm yet. Instead, a small piece of testicular tissue can be removed and frozen.
After treatment, the tissue may be placed back in the body.

After puberty: Sperm banking

The patient gives a semen sample. Before this appointment, a specialist will explain the process and provide products and information to help make it as comfortable as possible.
The sperm is then frozen and stored until it’s needed.

How much does it cost to freeze eggs, sperm or reproductive tissue?

Your provider can give you an idea of the costs to freeze eggs, sperm, or ovarian and testicular tissue. Prices can vary and may not be covered by insurance. In some cases, financial help might be available.

Why choose Penn State Health for fertility preservation?

Penn State Health Children’s Hospital is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the best children’s hospitals in the nation for pediatric cancer care. For more than 25 years, the Children’s Hospital has provided comprehensive, compassionate care for infants, children and adolescents with cancer.

You can expect care for the whole patient, mind, body and spirit. Start the conversation with your care team by asking these questions:

Will the cancer or cancer treatment affect future fertility?
What are the options to try to preserve fertility before treatment starts?
Can you refer us to a fertility preservation specialist to discuss our options?

A cancer program for adolescents and young adults

The Penn State Health Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program is a helpful resource for help dealing with cancer care and some of the day-to-day challenges teens face, including thinking about future fertility.