Oocyte cryopreservation in oncological patients

Abstract
The use of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in oncological patients may reduce their reprodutive potentil. Sperm cryopreservation has been already used m men affected by neoplastic disease. Oocyte cryopreservation might be an important solution for these patients at risk of losing ovarian function. A program of oocyte cryopreservation for oncological patients is also present in our center. From June 1996 to January 2000, 18 patients awaiting chemotherapy and radiotherapy for neopiastic disease were included in our oocyte cryopreservation program. Our experience documents that oocyte storage may be a concrete and programatic alternative for oncological patients. The duration of oocyte storage does not seem to interfere with oocyte survival as pregnancies occurred e even afteri several years of gamete cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen.